Commercial HVACVery Small Heat Pump
Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA Commercial HVAC Unit Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the split-system light commercial heat pump, with verified specifications.
- SEER215.2
- EER212.0
- HSPF27.8
- ConfigurationSplit system
About the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA
Keeprite model N5H5S48*S*AAA is a split-system light commercial heat pump that meets ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements.
It is rated at 15.2 SEER2, 12.0 EER2, and 7.8 HSPF2. Commercial units under 65,000 Btu/h use the same SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 metrics as residential central systems: SEER2 reflects seasonal cooling efficiency, EER2 efficiency on a 95 °F day, and HSPF2 seasonal heating efficiency.
Its rated heating capacity at 17 °F is 30,800 Btu/h. Supplementary heat is electric resistance, which runs when the heat pump alone cannot meet the load. It is not designated as a cold-climate unit, so plan supplementary heat for sustained sub-freezing weather. The ratings on this page apply to the outdoor unit matched with indoor unit F5MA5*60L*D*; other matches have their own ratings.
It uses R-454B (GWP 470), an A2L (mildly flammable) refrigerant with much lower global-warming potential than R-410A.
Specifications
| Brand | Keeprite |
|---|---|
| Model number | N5H5S48*S*AAA* |
| Model name / series | PERFORMANCE 16 SEER2 HP |
| Equipment category | Very Small Heat Pump |
| Configuration | Split system |
| Product series | PERFORMANCE 16 SEER2 HP |
| SEER2 | 15.2 |
| EER2 | 12.0 |
| HSPF2 | 7.8 |
| Heating capacity at 17 °F | 30,800 Btu/h |
| Heating section type | Electric resistance |
| Matched indoor unit | F5MA5*60L*D* |
| Refrigerant | R-454B (GWP 470) |
| Meets ENERGY STAR peak cooling requirement | Yes |
Certified matched systems
2 certified matched systems are listed for the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA. Each row links to a page with that system's full ratings and guidance.
| Indoor unit | SEER2 | EER2 | HSPF2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| F5MA5*60L*D* | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 |
| FHMA5*60L*D* | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 |
Safety information
- Installation and service must be performed by a licensed commercial HVAC contractor following the manufacturer's instructions and applicable mechanical, electrical, fuel-gas and building codes. Refrigerant work requires EPA Section 608 certification.
- Commercial units run on high-voltage, often three-phase power. Open and lock out the disconnect before servicing, and remember that capacitors and variable-speed drives can hold a charge after power is removed.
- Fans and belt drives can start automatically. Never operate the unit with access panels removed or reach into fan sections while power is on.
Installation and commissioning
Installation quality largely determines whether the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA achieves its certified efficiency in the field. Use these points when reviewing bids and the start-up documentation.
- Load and ventilation calculation
Size the equipment from a commercial load calculation (such as ACCA Manual N or an engineer's ASHRAE-based calculation) that includes occupancy, lighting, equipment and the outdoor-air ventilation the mechanical code requires. Replacing like-for-like without a calculation often perpetuates oversizing.
- Matched components
Install the exact indoor coil the rating is based on (indoor unit F5MA5*60L*D*). Other combinations may be certified with different efficiency, so confirm the match before purchase.
- Outdoor unit and line set
Set the outdoor unit level with the listed clearances, and keep the refrigerant line set within the manufacturer's length and lift limits. Pressure-test, evacuate to 500 microns or below and charge as specified.
- Electrical supply
Size conductors and overcurrent protection from the nameplate minimum circuit ampacity (MCA) and maximum overcurrent protection (MOP), and install a disconnect within sight of the unit. On three-phase equipment, verify phase rotation at start-up — scroll compressors running backward are noisy, do not pump and can be damaged.
- Condensate drain
Install a trap sized for the unit's fan pressure (draw-through coils need a deeper trap), pitch the drain away from the unit and protect it from freezing. A dry or undersized trap lets air prevent drainage and causes water to back up into the unit or building.
- Commissioning
Ask for a start-up report showing airflow and static pressure, refrigerant charge (superheat/subcooling), heat pump defrost and supplementary-heat staging, economizer and outdoor-air settings if equipped, and thermostat or building-automation schedules, plus a functional test of the refrigerant leak detection system.
Using your heat pump
Schedules and setpoints
Program occupied and unoccupied schedules that match business hours. Widen setpoints when the building is empty (for example, allowing the space to drift several degrees warmer in cooling and cooler in heating), and use optimal start so the space reaches setpoint just as occupants arrive rather than hours early.
Fan and ventilation
Most codes require ventilation air whenever the space is occupied, so the supply fan normally runs continuously during occupied hours and cycles with demand afterward. If the unit has an economizer, it uses cool outdoor air for "free" cooling in mild weather; make sure dampers move freely and settings match your climate.
Heat pump operation
In heating mode the unit periodically defrosts its outdoor coil; brief pauses and steam from the outdoor section are normal. Heating output drops in cold weather — down to 30,800 Btu/h at 17 °F — so supplementary heat should be staged to run only when the heat pump cannot keep up, not during morning warm-up in mild weather.
Managing peak demand
Commercial electric rates often include demand charges based on your highest 15- or 30-minute draw. This unit's EER2 of 12.0 describes its efficiency at that hot-weather peak. On sites with several units, staggering start times after unoccupied periods avoids stacking compressor starts.
Care and maintenance
A written maintenance agreement with a qualified contractor is the most reliable way to keep commercial equipment efficient. The schedule below is typical; follow the manufacturer's manual where it differs.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Monthly to quarterly | Replace air filters — monthly in dusty environments, restaurants or retail with heavy traffic; quarterly in clean offices. |
| Quarterly | Inspect belts and pulleys on belt-drive units, clean the condensate pan and trap, and check for water leaks at the curb or ductwork. |
| Spring | Clean the condenser coil (more often near cottonwoods, construction or kitchens), check refrigerant pressures, contactors and electrical connections, and test economizer operation. |
| Fall | Test heat pump heating, defrost and supplementary heat; check the outdoor coil and drain. |
| Every year | Inspect fan motors and bearings, cabinet and curb seals, and insulation; clean the evaporator coil if airflow or temperature split has dropped. |
| Per manufacturer schedule | Test the refrigerant leak detection sensor and mitigation sequence as the installation manual requires. |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Unit not running | Disconnect or breaker off; thermostat or building-automation schedule in unoccupied mode; safety lockout. | Check the disconnect, breaker and schedule. Do not repeatedly reset lockouts — have a technician find the cause. |
| Running but not cooling enough | Dirty filters or coils; low refrigerant charge; failed compressor stage; economizer stuck open in hot, humid weather. | Replace filters and check that outdoor-air dampers close properly; call a technician for coil cleaning and refrigerant checks. |
| Very loud compressor after installation or electrical work | Reversed phase rotation on a three-phase scroll compressor. | Shut the unit off immediately and have an electrician or technician correct the phasing. |
| Water leaking into the building | Clogged or dry condensate trap; drain pan overflowing; curb or duct seal leak; ice melting off the coil. | Clear the drain and trap; have the curb and ductwork resealed if leaks continue. |
| Ice on the evaporator coil or suction line | Low airflow from dirty filters or a broken belt; low refrigerant charge. | Turn cooling off and let the coil thaw with the fan running; replace filters and inspect belts before restarting. Persistent icing needs a technician. |
| High energy bills | Schedule not matching occupancy; economizer fault; dirty coils; units fighting each other in adjacent zones. | Review schedules and setpoints, have the economizer tested, and coordinate setpoints between neighboring units. |
| Short cycling | Oversized equipment; thermostat in a poor location; control or refrigerant problem. | Relocate or recalibrate the thermostat; have the contractor review sizing and staging. |
| Weak heating in cold weather | Normal capacity drop at low temperatures; defrost or supplementary-heat staging problem. | Confirm supplementary heat is enabled and staged correctly; have defrost operation checked. |
| Refrigerant leak alarm or mitigation mode | The leak detection system sensed refrigerant. | Leave the fan running, ventilate the area, keep ignition sources away and call a qualified technician. |
Energy use and running costs
The certification record does not list this match's capacity, so the estimate is per ton (12,000 Btu/h). Assuming 1,200 equivalent full-load cooling hours a year (our assumption for a moderate climate with business-hour occupancy), each ton at 15.2 SEER2 uses about 947 kWh a year, roughly $161 per ton at $0.17 per kWh. Multiply by the unit's nominal tonnage for a total.
At full load on a hot day each ton draws roughly 1.00 kW (12,000 Btu/h divided by its EER2 of 12.0).
For heating, an HSPF2 of 7.8 corresponds to about 128 kWh per million Btu of seasonal heat — roughly $21.79 per million Btu — versus about $18.75 for gas heat at 80% efficiency and $1.50 per therm.
Actual consumption depends on climate, building loads, operating hours, ventilation rates and control settings, and these estimates exclude fan energy outside cooling hours and any demand charges. Use them to compare units rather than as a bill forecast.
Frequently asked questions
What are the efficiency ratings of the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA?
The Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA is rated at 15.2 SEER2, 12.0 EER2, and 7.8 HSPF2 when matched with indoor unit F5MA5*60L*D*.
Which indoor unit is the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA rated with?
This listing pairs it with indoor unit F5MA5*60L*D*. Keeprite certifies other indoor matches separately, each with its own ratings, so check the match before relying on these numbers.
How well does the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA heat in cold weather?
It is rated for 30,800 Btu/h of heating at 17 °F. Electric resistance supplementary heat covers colder conditions.
Is the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA a packaged unit or a split system?
It is a split system: the outdoor condensing unit connects by refrigerant lines to an indoor coil and air handler, and its ratings apply only to the certified indoor match.
What refrigerant does the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA use?
It uses R-454B (GWP 470). It is an A2L (mildly flammable) refrigerant, so service must be done by A2L-trained technicians, and systems above certain refrigerant charges include leak detection.
When was the Keeprite N5H5S48*S*AAA ENERGY STAR certified?
It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified light commercial HVAC list with a certification date of April 2025.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified commercial hvac dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified April 8, 2025), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Keeprite. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Keeprite or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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