GENERAL AIRSTAGE TECHNICAL REFERENCE
Ducted System Energy Efficiency Comparison
ARTG | ARTH | ARTC - 30, 36, 45, 54, 60, 65, 72 & 90 Capacity Classes

This article provides a technical comparison of the rated energy efficiency of selected GENERAL / Fujitsu General ducted systems across the ARTG, ARTC and newer R32 ARTH generations.

The main comparison uses EER for cooling and COP for heating.

Important - confirm both indoor and outdoor model numbers.

Energy efficiency is a specification of the complete matched system, not the indoor unit alone. Some ARTG indoor models have been paired with different outdoor units during their product life and therefore may have different published capacities, EER and COP figures.

How is efficiency compared?

MeasureWhat it means
EEREnergy Efficiency Ratio. Rated cooling output divided by rated electrical input. A higher value represents greater cooling efficiency at the rated test condition.
COPCoefficient of Performance. Rated heating output divided by rated electrical input. A higher value represents greater heating efficiency at the rated test condition.
TCSPF / HSPFSeasonal cooling and heating performance factors. These consider performance over a range of operating conditions rather than only the rated test point. These figures are available for many newer ARTH systems.

Ducted Model Generations

SeriesTypical ModelsRefrigerantNotes
ARTGARTG30LHTA
ARTG36LHTA
ARTG45LHTA
ARTG54LHTC
ARTG60LHTA
ARTG65LHTA
R410AEarlier high-static inverter ducted generation. Several models have existed with different outdoor unit combinations, so the outdoor model must be confirmed before quoting efficiency.
ARTCARTC72LATU
ARTC90LATU
R410APrevious large-capacity three-phase ducted platform.
ARTHARTH30KHTA
ARTH36KHTA
ARTH45KHTA
ARTH54KHTA
ARTH60KHTA
ARTH65KHTA
ARTH72KHTA
ARTH90KHTA
R32Later R32 high-static ducted generation with published seasonal TCSPF and HSPF performance information.

Rated EER / COP Comparison

The values below compare representative published system combinations. Figures are shown as EER Cooling / COP Heating.

ClassEarlier SystemEarlier
EER / COP
R32 ARTH SystemARTH
EER / COP
Rated Efficiency Change
30ARTG30LHTA3.33 / 3.80ARTH30KHTA3.62 / 4.26Cooling EER approx. +9%
Heating COP approx. +12%
36ARTG36LHTA3.30 / 3.67ARTH36KHTA3.25 / 4.00Cooling EER similar
Heating COP approx. +9%
45ARTG45LHTA3.10 / 3.68ARTH45KHTA3.29 / 4.09Cooling EER approx. +6%
Heating COP approx. +11%
54ARTG54LHTC3.18 / 3.66ARTH54KHTA3.02 / 3.52Rated-point EER and COP are slightly lower on this ARTH combination. Compare seasonal performance and total system requirements as well.
60ARTG60LHTA3.19 / 3.50ARTH60KHTA3.14 / 3.68Cooling EER similar
Heating COP approx. +5%
65ARTG65LHTA3.09 / 3.77ARTH65KHTA3.21 / 3.82Cooling EER approx. +4%
Heating COP broadly similar
72ARTC72LATU3.25 / 3.60ARTH72KHTA3.25 / 3.85Cooling EER essentially unchanged
Heating COP approx. +7%
90ARTC90LATU3.20 / 3.40ARTH90KHTA3.02 / 3.73Cooling rated-point EER is lower
Heating COP approx. +10%

Rated Capacity is Not Always the Same

A model capacity code such as "30", "60" or "90" should not be treated as an exact kW rating across different generations.

ClassEarlier ModelCooling / HeatingARTH ModelCooling / Heating
30ARTG30LHTA9.0 / 11.2 kWARTH30KHTA8.5 / 10.0 kW
36ARTG36LHTA10.5 / 12.1 kWARTH36KHTA10.0 / 11.2 kW
45ARTG45LHTA12.5 / 14.0 kWARTH45KHTA12.5 / 14.0 kW
54ARTG54LHTC14.0 / 16.0 kWARTH54KHTA14.0 / 15.5 kW
60ARTG60LHTA15.0 / 18.0 kWARTH60KHTA15.5 / 18.0 kW
65ARTG65LHTA18.0 / 20.0 kWARTH65KHTA18.0 / 20.0 kW
72ARTC72LATU20.3 / 22.6 kWARTH72KHTA20.0 / 22.4 kW
90ARTC90LATU25.0 / 28.0 kWARTH90KHTA22.4 / 25.0 kW

What Does the Comparison Show?

30 Class - substantial improvement in rated efficiency

The ARTH30KHTA has a notably higher EER and COP than the representative ARTG30LHTA system. However, the rated output of the two systems is not identical, so EER/COP should not be interpreted as a direct annual running cost percentage.

36 and 45 Class - strongest improvement is in heating

Cooling efficiency is similar or moderately improved, while heating COP increases more significantly on the ARTH generation.

54 Class - newer does not automatically mean a higher rated EER/COP

The representative ARTG54LHTC has a higher rated EER and COP than the standard ARTH54KHTA combination. This illustrates why efficiency should be checked from the actual matched system rather than assumed from age, refrigerant type or model generation.

60 and 65 Class - relatively close at the rated test point

The differences are smaller than in some of the lower-capacity systems. The ARTH60 shows improved heating COP, while the ARTH65 provides a modest improvement in both rated cooling and heating efficiency.

72 and 90 Class - heating efficiency improves

The ARTH72 retains approximately the same rated cooling EER as the ARTC72 while improving heating COP. The ARTH90 has a lower rated cooling EER than the ARTC90, but a materially higher heating COP. The 90-class systems also have different rated capacities, so they should not be treated as direct capacity equivalents.

Why the Outdoor Model Matters

Example - ARTG30LHTA

The ARTG30LHTA indoor unit has appeared with more than one outdoor unit combination.

IndoorOutdoorEERCOP
ARTG30LHTAAOTG30LBTC3.263.70
ARTG30LHTAAOTG30LATL3.333.80
Therefore: When a customer asks how efficient their existing ducted system is, obtain both the indoor and outdoor model numbers before providing an efficiency figure.

Rated Efficiency vs Seasonal Efficiency

EER and COP are measured at defined rated operating conditions. They are useful when comparing older and newer systems because they are commonly published across multiple product generations.

Newer ARTH technical data also provides Total Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (TCSPF) and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) for different climates. These figures assess efficiency over a broader range of operating conditions and can provide additional information when comparing current systems.

Do not convert the EER/COP percentage difference directly into an electricity-bill saving.

Actual energy consumption depends on building heat load, duct design, external static pressure, zoning, thermostat settings, climate, operating hours, installation quality and how much time the inverter operates away from its rated condition.

Information Required for an Efficiency Comparison

  1. Confirm the complete indoor model number.
  2. Confirm the complete outdoor model number.
  3. Confirm whether the comparison is for cooling, heating or overall seasonal use.
  4. Compare systems with an appropriate capacity for the building load.
  5. Use EER/COP for a rated-point comparison.
  6. Use TCSPF/HSPF where seasonal data is available and an appropriate seasonal comparison is required.
  7. Do not promise a specific percentage reduction in the customer's electricity bill from EER/COP alone.
Technical Information Disclaimer

This information is provided as a technical comparison reference. System specifications can vary depending on the exact indoor/outdoor combination, production revision, power supply configuration and product generation.

Always confirm the full indoor and outdoor model numbers and refer to the applicable product specification or service manual before providing a definitive energy-efficiency or running-cost comparison.

EER, COP, TCSPF and HSPF figures do not guarantee actual electricity consumption or running cost. Actual performance will vary according to the installation, duct system, external static pressure, climate, building load, temperature settings and operating pattern.
Search terms:
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