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FUJITSU AIRSTAGE CENTAURI XLTH R32 and SAMSUNG Hylex Premium, figure by figure
Two 3-ton central heat pumps certified at 36,000 BTU/h, ENERGY STAR cold climate per NEEP, offered by AirGreen. One runs on R-32, the other on R-454B. This page separates two things: what the certificates measure, and what each manufacturer ships, builds in, requires or leaves optional.
CENTAURI XLTH R32 · 36,000 BTU
AMUH36KUAS / AOUH36KUAH1 · AHRI 217895717
See the product page
What the electricity costs, in dollars, winter and summer
AirGreen estimate for the same 36,000 BTU/h (3-ton) house in Montréal, on Hydro-Québec Rate D, taxes included. Here, winter makes a real difference: HSPF2 Region V of 8.2 for the CENTAURI XLTH and 6.8 for the Hylex Premium, or about 21% more heating electricity for the Hylex Premium for the same heat. In summer, with SEER2 values of 18.3 and 17.5, the gap drops below 5%. Both certificates give 36,000 BTU/h of cooling at 35 °C; electric baseboards serve as the reference.
How this amount is calculated
- Heat to supply over the winter. A house whose heat loss reaches 36,000 BTU/h ( kW) at −23.1 °C, the Montréal design temperature: kW × 24 h × 4,167 degree-days ÷ (18 − (−23.1)) = kWh of heat for round-the-clock heating, all winter. Heating degree-days (18 °C base) and design temperature: Natural Resources Canada, HOT2000 climate data, Montréal Intl station. With fewer hours a day (“Heating” slider), the heat is reduced in the same proportion, for the heat pump as for the baseboards: this simplification ignores the recovery after a temperature setback.
- Heating electricity. Heat pump: heat × 3.412 ÷ HSPF2 Region V, the AHRI certificate value published by NEEP. Region V is the coldest in the standard, and its calculation includes the electric backup heat expected when the heat pump is no longer enough. Electric baseboards: 1 kWh of electricity for 1 kWh of heat.
- Cooling electricity. 36,000 BTU/h ÷ SEER2 × hours a day × 60 days ÷ 1,000: the method of Hydro-Québec’s air-conditioning calculator, with the seasonal SEER2 efficiency from the AHRI certificate. The number of hours is a scenario, adjustable above from 1 to 24 h. At 24 h, the calculation assumes rated capacity all day long: that is a ceiling, since a variable-speed unit slows down once the room reaches its set temperature.
- Price. Hydro-Québec Rate D in effect April 1, 2026: 7.065¢ per kWh up to 40 kWh a day, 11.142¢ beyond; the average price, 9.104¢, is the one Hydro-Québec’s calculators use. GST and QST included. Grid access charges, the same with or without a heat pump, are not counted.
AirGreen method v1.1, November 9, 2026. An estimate is a way to compare units under the same conditions. The actual bill depends on the house, its insulation, the settings and how it is used; this amount is not a promise.
Opening both boxes, part by part
Each system arrives as two units: the outdoor unit and the air handler. The rest depends on the manufacturer: some parts are built into the unit, others are required but sold separately, others are optional. Pick a category to see what belongs to it, on each side.
Outdoor unitAOUH36KUAH1Shipped
Air handlerAMUH36KUASShippedBuilt into the outdoor unit.
Sensor built into the air handler.
UTY-TTRXZ1
UTY-LBTUM
UTY-TFSXJ4 · AIRSTAGE Mobile app
Several FUJITSU AIRSTAGE models.
UTZ-EU series kits
86ET0001
Outdoor unitAC036FCUPCGShipped
Air handlerHH36MACC11H1ShippedStandard on the outdoor unit.
Factory installed, with mitigation.
Built in; the filter is not included.
MXD-U001XN · “mandatory”, sold separately, per SAMSUNG. It receives the 24 V thermostat and carries SmartThings Wi-Fi.
Included in the SAMSUNG Hylex package sold by AirGreen. SAMSUNG does not supply it: 24 V thermostat “field supplied”.
MWR-WG01UN
HA05E0CH1 to HA20E0CH1 · 5 to 20 kW
HGK-5 · WBF-6M · WBB-4M
Sources: FUJITSU AIRSTAGE submittal sheet 36KUAH1M (accessory list) and Centauri brochure FG8161D; SAMSUNG submittal sheet AC036FCUPCG/AA, Hylex air handler installation manual (679608-01) and SAMSUNG Hylex brochure 260413B. The two FUJITSU AIRSTAGE units are to scale with each other; since SAMSUNG does not publish the air handler height in the documents reviewed, the SAMSUNG images are not. The written quote states what is included.
The certificates, measure by measure
The seasonal efficiencies and capacities below come from the AHRI certificates published by NEEP, measured to the same standard for both. Here neither one wins everywhere: the CENTAURI XLTH has the higher seasonal efficiencies, the Hylex Premium the larger maximum capacity in mild weather.
Certified seasonal efficiencies
Same scale for both units on each row.
Certified maximum capacity
At the three temperatures where NEEP measures both units. Vertical line: 36,000 BTU/h.
The modulation range at 8.3 °C
A variable-speed heat pump slows down in mild weather. Bar: from certified minimum to certified maximum capacity; yellow tick: the rated value.
Below −15 °C: one degree between the two last points
NEEP measures both systems at the same temperatures down to −15 °C. Lower down, each has its own coldest point: −26.1 °C for the CENTAURI XLTH, −25 °C for the Hylex Premium. A one-degree gap is enough for these two figures not to compare directly. Each value is placed at its own temperature, with its source; nothing is calculated between two points.
What each manufacturer writes, line by line
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE submittal sheet 36KUAH1M and Centauri brochure FG8161D; SAMSUNG submittal sheet AC036FCUPCG/AA, Hylex technical data book and Hylex brochure 260413B. What these documents do not say is not assumed.
CENTAURI XLTH: heating stated down to −26 °C, no low-temperature cutoff; built-in heated base pan; automatic defrost.
Hylex Premium: heating stated down to −25 °C; heated base pan standard; compressor crankcase heater.
CENTAURI XLTH: down to −21 °C (−5 °F) outside.
Hylex Premium: down to −20 °C (−4 °F) outside, and up to 52 °C in hot weather.
CENTAURI XLTH: Auto and four speeds; external static pressure up to 0.8 in. w.c.; multi-position.
Hylex Premium: five-speed ECM motor; up to 1.0 in. w.c.; multi-position, downflow with kit.
CENTAURI XLTH: third-party 24 V thermostat through the UTY-TTRXZ1 interface; wired controls, IR kit and Wi-Fi optional; BACnet and Modbus.
Hylex Premium: 24 V thermostat or SAMSUNG communicating control, through the required MXD-U001XN ACU module; SmartThings Wi-Fi through the module.
CENTAURI XLTH: optional electric heater kits (UTZ-EU series), on a dedicated circuit.
Hylex Premium: 5 to 20 kW kits (HA05E0CH1 to HA20E0CH1) installed in the air handler; the data book gives compatibility by size.
CENTAURI XLTH: leak sensor built into the air handler.
Hylex Premium: R-454B detector factory installed in the air handler, with mitigation.
CENTAURI XLTH: input and output terminals for backup heat, a humidifier or an HRV; configurable emergency heat.
Hylex Premium: dual-fuel setup with a furnace and compressor lockout adjustable by outdoor temperature, with a SAMSUNG communicating control.
CENTAURI XLTH: inverter compressor; one outdoor fan; Blue Fin-treated coil.
Hylex Premium: BLDC inverter twin rotary compressor; two BLDC outdoor fans.
CENTAURI XLTH: 20 × 20 in. filter base available as an option (86ET0001).
Hylex Premium: built-in filter rack for an 18 × 25 in. filter, filter not included.
How loud each one is, per its manufacturer
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE publishes a level for each fan speed of the AMUH36KUAS air handler. SAMSUNG publishes the outdoor unit’s level in cooling and heating, but none of the documents reviewed gives the level of the HH36MACC11H1 air handler.
How to read these figures. dB(A) measures a noise level as the ear perceives it: the lower the figure, the quieter the unit. Each point is a value published by the manufacturer. Here the comparison happens mostly outside: SAMSUNG does not publish the level of its air handler, only that of the outdoor unit.
Why this is not a ranking. Both manufacturers measure sound pressure in an anechoic chamber, each with its own method, with no published distance. SAMSUNG also publishes a sound power of 75 dB(A) (ISO 3741) for the outdoor unit, a different quantity that does not compare with sound pressure.
Air handler
Cooling, published values
Outdoor unit, outside
Published sound pressure
Only the outdoor units compare here, each measured with its manufacturer’s own method: read them separately, not as a ranking.
Outside, in the basement and in the piping
The outdoor units at the same scale
Net heights and weights per the submittal sheets. The SAMSUNG documents reviewed (submittal sheet, data book, air handler installation manual) give neither the height nor the weight of the HH36MACC11H1 air handler, so it is not drawn. Photos: FUJITSU AIRSTAGE submittal sheet 36KUAH1M; AirGreen product page for SAMSUNG.
Piping length between the two units
SAMSUNG: precharge for 24.6 ft (7.5 m), 0.5 oz per foot beyond 25 ft; no minimum length in the documents reviewed. The installer always confirms with the installation manual and the nameplate.
| Installation | CENTAURI XLTH | Hylex Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum piping length | 246 ft | 164 ft |
| Minimum piping length | 17 ft | Not published in the SAMSUNG documents reviewed. |
| Precharged length | 98 ft | 24.6 ft |
| Refrigerant added beyond the precharged length | 0.43 oz/ft | 0.5 oz/ft beyond 25 ft |
| Maximum height difference | 98 ft | 98 ft |
| Liquid – gas diameters | 3/8 – 5/8 in | 3/8 – 7/8 inGas: 3/4 in minimum, 1 1/8 in maximum, per the submittal sheet. |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 37 × 39 5/16 × 12 5/8 in, 159 lb | 37 × 55 7/8 × 13 in, 229.3 lb |
| Indoor unit W × H × D, weight | 21 × 48 × 21 in, 137 lb | Not published in the SAMSUNG documents reviewed. |
| Indoor airflow | 1,200 CFM (high speed) | 1,389 CFM (factory setting, 0.1 in. w.c.); up to 1,534 |
| Maximum external static pressure | 0.8 in. w.c. | 1.0 in. w.c. |
| Outdoor unit electrical protectionPer the manufacturer | Breaker max. 35 A (MCA 33.9 A) | Breaker max. 40 A (MCA 33.3 A) |
| Clearance to combustibles, air handler | Per the installation manual. | 0 in. to the cabinet; 24 in. in front for service |
| Stated heating / cooling range | −26 to 24 °C / −21 to 50 °C | −25 to 24 °C / −20 to 52 °C |
Sources: FUJITSU AIRSTAGE submittal sheet 36KUAH1M (version 20260123A); SAMSUNG submittal sheet AC036FCUPCG/AA (© 2026), Hylex technical data book (version 2.0, August 29, 2025) and Hylex air handler installation manual 679608-01 (March 2026).
What people ask about these two central systems
Which one has the higher efficiencies?
It depends on the measure. The AHRI certificates give the CENTAURI XLTH a SEER2 of 18.3 and an HSPF2 Region IV of 10.2, against 17.5 and 8.5 for the Hylex Premium. EER2, measured at 35 °C, goes the other way: 12.0 for the Hylex Premium, 11.4 for the CENTAURI XLTH.
Why does the Hylex Premium reach 55,000 BTU/h at 8.3 °C?
It is its certified maximum capacity in mild weather, per NEEP, for a system rated at 36,000 BTU/h. In extreme cold the gap reverses: at −15 °C, NEEP gives 41,000 BTU/h for the CENTAURI XLTH and 39,000 for the Hylex Premium.
Is a thermostat included?
With the Hylex Premium, yes: the SAMSUNG Hylex package sold by AirGreen includes a thermostat. SAMSUNG, for its part, does not ship a thermostat with the unit. For the CENTAURI XLTH, the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE submittal sheet lists the thermostat interface, the controls and Wi-Fi as accessories; the written quote states what is included.
Is the SAMSUNG ACU module included?
SAMSUNG states that the MXD-U001XN ACU module is mandatory and sold separately: it is what connects the 24 V thermostat to the system. The written quote states whether it is included.
R-32 or R-454B, what difference does it make?
They are two A2L-class refrigerants, with a global warming potential of 675 for R-32 and 466 for R-454B (IPCC, AR4). Each manufacturer builds a leak detector into its air handler. The two do not mix: a system stays with the refrigerant its manufacturer specifies.
Are they eligible for rebates?
Both are listed as ENERGY STAR cold climate in the NEEP database. Eligibility depends on the official list in effect on the purchase date; this page promises no amount.
All AHRI and NEEP values
| Certified value | CENTAURI XLTH | Hylex Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | ||
| Rated capacity at 35 °C | 36,000 BTU/h | 36,000 BTU/h |
| SEER2 | 18.3 | 17.5 |
| EER2 | 11.4 | 12.0 |
| Heating, same conditions | ||
| HSPF2 Region IV / V | 10.2 / 8.2 | 8.5 / 6.8 |
| 8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 9,200 / 38,000 / 43,000 | 11,000 / 36,000 / 55,000 |
| 8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 3.80 / 3.89 / 3.28 | 4.61 / 3.40 / 2.27 |
| −8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 8,300 / 25,200 / 41,600 | 20,200 / 21,000 / 42,000 |
| −8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 3.86 / 2.90 / 2.25 | 2.79 / 2.48 / 2.43 |
| −15 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 7,900 / 41,000 / 41,000 | 15,600 / 39,000 / 39,000 |
| −15 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 3.86 / 1.98 / 1.98 | 2.48 / 1.90 / 1.90 |
| Coldest point — different temperatures, not highlighted | ||
| Test temperature | −26.1 °C (−15 °F) | −25 °C (−13 °F) |
| Capacity min. / max. | 6,000 / 32,000 BTU/h | 12,000 / 27,000 BTU/h |
| COP at maximum capacity | 1.82 | 1.70 |
| Listings and refrigerant | ||
| ENERGY STAR / cold climate (NEEP) | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 217895717 · 306746 | 218158147 · 506852 |
| RefrigerantGWP per the IPCC (AR4); ASHRAE 34 class | R-32 · GWP 675 · A2L | R-454B · GWP 466 · A2L |
higher marks the higher value of a given measure, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. Capacities and COPs by point are not highlighted: the order changes depending on the point read. At −8.3 °C, NEEP lists for the Hylex Premium a minimum capacity (20,200 BTU/h) almost equal to the rated one (21,000); the page reproduces the certificate as is.
Both are on the AirGreen website.
To choose for your house, talk it over with our team: bring the heated area, the condition of your ducts, the space planned outside and your current heating.
Where each figure comes from
Data checked on November 9, 2026. Performance: AHRI certificates and the NEEP database. Dimensions, sound, piping, contents and features: per the manufacturer. When a source contradicts the AHRI certificate, the certificate prevails.
Trademarks. FUJITSU AIRSTAGE, CENTAURI, SAMSUNG, Hylex and SmartThings are trademarks of their respective owners. Logos are used only to identify the products compared. AirGreen is a dealer for both brands; this page is not produced, sponsored or endorsed by the manufacturers. The FUJITSU AIRSTAGE system is also sold under the name GENERAL AIRSTAGE.
Photos: AirGreen and the manufacturers, for identification.
Does a figure look wrong to you? Write to us : every reported figure is checked again.