LG R32 and LG LGRED R32, 36,000 BTU

Home / Comparisons / 3-ton central heat pumps

Comparison · Central heat pump · Same brand · 3 tons

LG R32 and LG LGRED R32 central systems, across the certified range

Two 3-ton LG central heat pumps on R-32, offered by AirGreen. Their LG submittal sheets give the same outdoor weight, the same R-32 charge and the same piping; at −15 °C, NEEP certifies the same maximum capacity. What changes: how far down each one heats, per LG and per the certificate.

At −15 °C: 33,000 and 33,000 BTU/hColdest point: −20 °C and −25 °CSEER2 17.5 and 18.2
Heating range published by LG, certified by NEEP at the coldest point
LG R328.3 → −20 °C
LG LGRED R328.3 → −25 °C
Estimated operating cost

What the electricity costs, in dollars, winter and summer

AirGreen estimate for the same 33,000 BTU/h house in Montréal, at Hydro-Québec Rate D, taxes included. Both heat pumps are calculated exactly the same way, with the same method as on all our comparison pages; only their certified efficiencies change. Electric baseboards serve as the reference. Both are certified at 33,000 BTU/h in cooling: the calculation uses that certified capacity.

How this amount is calculated
  1. Heat needed over the winter. A house whose heat loss reaches 33,000 BTU/h ( kW) at −23.1 °C, Montréal’s 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 (base 18 °C) 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 and the baseboards alike: a simplification that ignores the recovery after a setback.
  2. Electricity for heating. 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 planned for when the heat pump is no longer enough. Electric baseboards: 1 kWh of electricity for 1 kWh of heat.
  3. Electricity for cooling. 33,000 BTU/h ÷ SEER2 × hours per day × 60 days ÷ 1,000: the method of Hydro-Québec’s air-conditioning calculator, with the SEER2 seasonal 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: that is a maximum, since a variable-speed unit slows down once the room is at the right temperature.
  4. 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. The network access fee, the same with or without a heat pump, is not counted.

AirGreen method v1.1, November 9, 2026. An estimate is for comparing units under the same conditions. The actual bill depends on the house, insulation, settings and use; this amount is not a promise.

The certified range

Same values down to −15 °C, then a 5 °C gap

Each bar starts at 8.3 °C and stops at the coldest point certified by NEEP, which is also the heating limit LG publishes for each outdoor unit. Move the slider: at each temperature, each unit shows what is published, with its source.

−15°CSame temperature, same source for both
Solid dot: AHRI certificate, NEEPDiamond: LG submittal sheet, not certifiedMaximum heating capacity, 21.1 °C indoors

Sources: NEEP, records 422329 and 422333; LG submittal sheets KSSLB361A (January 23, 2025) and KSSLA361A (March 10, 2026). Between two published temperatures, the page gives the two values on either side of the chosen temperature; it calculates nothing between them.

Two sheets, row by row

What the LG submittal sheets have in common, and what changes

Row by row, the two LG submittal sheets. Highlighted rows are those where the values differ.

What the two sheets say together. Same outdoor weight, same R-32 charge, same fans, same piping diameters and lengths, same published sound levels. The differences are in extreme-cold heating (range and capacity at −20 °C), the base pan heater, standard on the LGRED, and the certified efficiencies.
Certified efficiencies

Four efficiencies, and one that flips

Each row puts both AHRI certificate values on its own scale. The LGRED R32 is higher in SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 Region IV; the LG R32 is higher in HSPF2 Region V, the value used for the winter cost estimated above.

Extreme cold

Below −15 °C: every published figure, at its exact temperature

NEEP certifies the LG R32 down to −20 °C and the LGRED R32 down to −25 °C. The LG submittal sheets also give the maximum heating capacity at −20 °C, and at −25 °C for the LGRED. Nothing is calculated between two points.

At −25 °C, the LG sheet and the certificate differ slightly. The LG submittal sheet gives 29,000 BTU/h for the LGRED R32, the certificate 28,000 BTU/h. For the LG R32 at −20 °C, both sources give 27,000 BTU/h. The main comparison follows the certificate.
Documented features

What LG writes for each system

LG KSSLB361A and KSSLA361A submittal sheets. Each row repeats what the manufacturer writes.

Heating range

LG R32: −20 to 18 °C (−4 to 64 °F, wet-bulb).

LGRED R32: −25 to 18 °C (−13 to 64 °F, wet-bulb).

Heated base pan

LG R32: optional accessory, PQSH1200.

LGRED R32: standard on the outdoor unit.

Controls

Both: LG wall controller required (the indoor unit has no infrared receiver); optional PWFMDD200 Wi-Fi module; LG gateways and central controllers.

Fan and airflow

Both: 3-speed indoor unit, 1,050 / 980 / 900 CFM; external static pressure from 0.1 to 1.0 in w.c.; outdoor unit with 2 fans, 1,942 CFM.

Standard features

Both: variable-speed compressor, hot start, self-diagnosis, soft dry, auto changeover, R-32 leak sensor, auto restart, weekly timer.

Backup heat and accessories

Both: ANEHxx3Cx electric heat kits, PRARH1 auxiliary heat kit, PNDFA0 downflow kit; 20 × 20 × 1 in filter field-supplied.

Sound

The same published sound levels

Both LG submittal sheets give the same sound pressure levels, at ±1 dB(A), measured in an anechoic chamber to the ISO 3745 standard per the LGRED sheet.

dB(A)

How to read these numbers. dB(A) measures noise level as the ear perceives it: the lower the number, the quieter the unit. Each point is a value published by LG, one per speed or mode.

Why this is not a ranking. Same manufacturer, same sheet format: these values compare with each other, and they are identical. They do not compare with another brand measured differently.

Indoor unit, in the basement or a closet

Published values

Outdoor unit, outside

Published values

Measurements published by LG in the same sheet format: identical for both systems, within ±1 dB(A).

Installation

The same piping, the same hookup

InstallationLG R32LGRED R32
Maximum piping length246 ft16.4 ft minimum; equivalent lengths, per LG.246 ft
Precharged length24.6 ft0.43 oz of R-32 per foot beyond.24.6 ft
Maximum height difference98.4 ft98.4 ft
Liquid – gas line diameters3/8 – 5/8 in3/8 – 5/8 in
Outdoor unit, weight190.2 lb190.2 lb
Indoor unit, weight139 lb141 lb
Electrical protectionPer the manufacturerMCA 32 A, MOP 35 A (208/230 V)MCA 32 A, MOP 35 A (208/230 V)
Factory refrigerant charge106 oz of R-32106 oz of R-32
Heated base panOptional (PQSH1200)Standard
Dehumidification7.17 pints/h6.9 pints/h
Stated heating / cooling range−20 to 18 °C / −15 to 48 °C−25 to 18 °C / −15 to 48 °C

Sources: LG submittal sheets KSSLB361A (SB_SZ_Multi_Position_AHU_HighEff_R32_KSSLB361A, January 23, 2025) and KSSLA361A (SB_SZ_Multi_Position_AHU_LGRED_R32_KSSLA361A, March 10, 2026). Outdoor unit ranges: heating wet-bulb, cooling dry-bulb, converted to °C and rounded to the degree.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask about these two LG systems

What sets the LGRED R32 apart from the LG R32?

Per the LG submittal sheets, mainly extreme-cold heating: a range down to −25 °C instead of −20 °C, 31,000 BTU/h maximum at −20 °C instead of 27,000, and the base pan heater standard rather than optional. The outdoor cabinet, the R-32 charge, the piping and the published sound levels are the same.

And at −15 °C?

The certificate gives 33,000 BTU/h maximum for both, with a COP of 1.85 for the LG R32 and 2.00 for the LGRED R32 at that point.

Why does the LG R32 have a higher Region V HSPF2?

That is what the AHRI certificates give: 8.06 for the LG R32 and 7.85 for the LGRED R32. HSPF2 is a seasonal average calculated under the standard; it does not measure capacity at the coldest point. The winter cost estimated above, which uses this value, is therefore slightly lower for the LG R32.

What does LGRED mean?

LG introduced its “LGRED” heating technology in 2017 as “Reliable to Extreme Degrees”. For these two systems, this page sticks to the figures in the submittal sheets and the certificate.

What happens below −20 °C with the LG R32?

LG publishes a heating range down to −20 °C (−4 °F wet-bulb) for the KUSXB361A outdoor unit. Below that, heat comes from the backup planned at installation, for example an LG electric heat kit.

Which one makes less noise?

Both sheets give the same values: 40 / 37 / 35 dB(A) for the indoor unit depending on speed, 52 dB(A) in cooling and 54 dB(A) in heating for the outdoor unit.

Are they eligible for rebates?

Per NEEP, both combinations are ENERGY STAR and ENERGY STAR cold climate. Eligibility for a program depends on the official list in force on the date of purchase; this page promises no amount.

Certified data sheet

All AHRI and NEEP values

Certified valueLG R32LGRED R32
Cooling
Rated capacity at 35 °C33,000 BTU/h33,000 BTU/h
SEER217.518.2
EER211.813.0
Heating, same conditions
HSPF2 Region IV9.59.6
HSPF2 Region V8.067.85
8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h12,800 / 40,000 / 43,00011,904 / 40,000 / 43,000
8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max.4.31 / 3.54 / 2.814.53 / 3.78 / 3.07
−8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h16,200 / 27,000 / 37,00015,240 / 25,400 / 39,000
−8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max.2.73 / 2.70 / 2.132.83 / 2.80 / 2.38
−15 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h9,172 / 33,000 / 33,0008,628 / 33,000 / 33,000
−15 °C: COP min. / rated / max.2.49 / 1.85 / 1.852.61 / 2.00 / 2.00
Coldest point — different temperatures
Test temperature−20 °C (−4 °F)−25 °C (−13 °F)
Min. / max. capacity6,213 / 27,000 BTU/h3,600 / 28,000 BTU/h
COP at maximum capacity1.511.64
Listings and refrigerant
ENERGY STAR / cold climate (NEEP)Yes / YesYes / Yes
AHRI certificate · NEEP record215812199 · 422329215588576 · 422333
RefrigerantGWP per the IPCC (AR4); ASHRAE 34 classR-32 · GWP 675 · A2LR-32 · GWP 675 · A2L

higher marks the higher value of the same measure, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. Capacities and COPs at each point are not highlighted. At the coldest point, the test temperatures differ (−20 and −25 °C): those values do not compare directly.

Both are on the AirGreen website.

To choose for your home, talk it over with our team: bring the heated floor area, the condition of your ducts and your current heating.

Sources and documents

Where every figure comes from