Cooper & Hunter Olivia 18,000 BTU 2-Zone (9k+9k)

Cooper & Hunter · Multi-Zone

Cooper & Hunter Olivia 18,000 BTU 2-Zone (9k+9k)

CH-18MES-230VO + 2x 9k Olivia heads

~$1,339approximate retailer price at last check, equipment only

Newer version shipping: Cooper & Hunter's R-454B Olivia Midnight 2-zone (CH-R18MES-230VO) replaces this R-410A condenser.

BTU/h
18k
Volts
230
Zones
2
SEER2
22.9
HSPF2
10.5
Heats to
-13°F
Refrig.
R-410A
Covers
750 ft²
Wi-Fi
Built in

Best forRental units, garages-plus-bonus-room setups, or any two-room job where lowest equipment cost wins.

Overview

The cheapest complete dual-zone system in this roundup — about $1,340 gets you the condenser, two 9k Olivia wall heads, 25 ft line sets, and Wi-Fi dongles. C&H is a Gree-adjacent import brand that owners treat as serviceable budget gear: fine when installed carefully, frustrating when you need parts or English-language support in year six. The multi-zone caveats hit harder at the budget end. One compressor backs both rooms, so a failure is a whole-system outage, and an 18k condenser answering a single 9k call cycles more than two separate singles ever would — two C&H 9k singles cost about the same and sidestep both problems if you can mount two outdoor units. It's also still on R410A, which is being phased down, so think about long-term refrigerant availability. Heating output holds a claimed 12,600 BTU at 5°F with operation to -13°F — usable shoulder-through-cold performance, but not a true hyper-heat machine for design-day heating in the north.

  • Complete 2-zone kit ~$1,340
  • 25 ft line sets included
  • 22.9 SEER2 on a budget

Cold-weather output

At 5°F it still makes 66% of its rated heat, according to the certified NEEP listing for this pairing. Cooper & Hunter rates it to keep running down to -13°F.

47°F32°F17°F5°F-13°F19.0k12.6kmaker's floor -13°F
COP at 5°F
2
Refrigerant
R-410A
AHRI cert.
210799616
ENERGY STAR cold climate
No

Pairing: CH-18MES-230VO with non-ducted heads. From NEEP's ccASHP list; a different head or condenser posts different numbers.

Strengths and catches

Strengths

  • +Lowest complete-system price of any 2-zone here — under $1,400 shipped
  • +22.9 SEER2 cooling efficiency embarrasses some name brands
  • +Retains 12,600 BTU of heat output at 5°F, with operation claimed to -13°F
  • +Per-zone Wi-Fi smart-port adapters included for app control
  • +AHRI-certified and ENERGY STAR listed despite the budget price

Catches

  • −R410A refrigerant — phase-down means pricier service refrigerant over its life
  • −Heating efficiency is modest (8.0 HSPF listed for the colder rating region)
  • −Both rooms go dark if the single condenser or board fails
  • −Parts and warranty service depend on a small US importer, not a dealer network
  • −Oversized response to single-zone calls brings short-cycling and humidity swings

Questions buyers ask

What exactly do I get for $1,340?+

The complete two-room system: condenser, two 9k Olivia wall heads, 25 ft pre-flared line sets, communication wire, drain extensions, and per-zone WiFi smart-port adapters. It's the cheapest complete dual-zone in this class by a wide margin, and it's still AHRI-certified and Energy Star listed.

Is buying an R-410A system in 2026 a mistake?+

It's a known cost, not a dealbreaker: the refrigerant phase-down means service refrigerant gets pricier over the unit's life, and newer value systems have moved to R-454B. If a repair ever needs a significant recharge, expect it to sting more each year — worth weighing against the rock-bottom purchase price.

It looks DIY-friendly — is it?+

The packaging suggests it, but the R-410A flare connections plus a required vacuum pull put it in pro territory, and C&H's warranty support expects a licensed installer. The included pre-flared line sets do shorten a tech's job, which helps keep total installed cost low.

How does it heat when temperatures drop?+

It retains a stated 12,600 BTU of heat output at 5°F with operation claimed to -13°F — genuinely useful for a budget system — but the 8.0 HSPF listed for the colder rating region means running costs are mediocre in real winter duty. Fine for two bedrooms with other heat in the house; not a cold-climate primary.

Who backs the warranty?+

A small US importer, not a dealer network — the 7-year compressor / 5-year parts coverage is honored through email support and shipped parts. Owners treat C&H as serviceable budget gear when installed properly, but line up a tech willing to work on mail-order equipment before you commit.

Similar systems

Everything from Cooper & Hunter
Cooper & Hunter Sophia 12,000 BTU

Cooper & Hunter · Single-Zone

~$970

Cooper & Hunter Sophia 12,000 BTU

Mild-to-moderate winter climates that want sub-zero heating capability under $1,000.

BTU/h
12k
Volts
115
Refrig.
R-410A
SEER2
21.5
HSPF2
7.6
Heats to
-13°F
Cooper & Hunter MIA 12,000 BTU

Cooper & Hunter · Single-Zone

~$865

Cooper & Hunter MIA 12,000 BTU

Buyers who want Senville-class hardware with Wi-Fi and a longer compressor warranty in the box.

BTU/h
12k
Volts
115
Refrig.
R-454B
SEER2
21.2
HSPF2
8.7
Heats to
5°F