York model number tonnage
York, Coleman and Luxaire outdoor units carry the size as two digits in thousands of BTU per hour. Divide by 12 for tons: YH2F36TB21 holds 36, a 3-ton unit. Where the two digits sit depends on the series, so the number has to be matched to a known layout. Their gas furnaces carry the heating input as three digits after the series: Y91E080 is the 80,000 BTU/h size.
Decode a York model number
The decoder on this page also reads Coleman and Luxaire model numbers, which follow the same or closely related layouts.
What do the size codes mean?
On an air conditioner or heat pump the code is the nominal cooling capacity in thousands of BTU per hour. One ton of cooling is 12,000 BTU/h, so the code divided by 12 is the tonnage. Some series print the code with a leading zero: 036 and 36 are the same size.
| Code | Nominal BTU/h | Tons | Variant codes in the same size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 or 018 | 18,000 | 1.5 | 17, 19 |
| 24 or 024 | 24,000 | 2 | 25 |
| 30 or 030 | 30,000 | 2.5 | 31 |
| 36 or 036 | 36,000 | 3 | 37, 38 |
| 42 or 042 | 42,000 | 3.5 | 41, 43 |
| 48 or 048 | 48,000 | 4 | 47, 49 |
| 54 or 054 | 54,000 | 4.5 | |
| 60 or 060 | 60,000 | 5 | 59, 61 |
A variant code marks a slightly different version of the same size class. Not every brand uses every code.
On a gas furnace the code is the heating input in thousands of BTU per hour, always three digits: 040 is 40,000 BTU/h, 060 is 60,000, 080 is 80,000, 100 is 100,000 and 120 is 120,000. It is input, not output, and it is not tons.
Where is the tonnage in a York model number?
It depends on the series. Find the layout that matches the start of your model number.
In the examples, an asterisk stands for a character that varies from one version of the model to the next.
York YC2 and YH2 numbers (YC2D, YC2E, YC2F, YH2E, YH2F)
Characters 5 and 6, right after the four-character series.
YC2F36SB21 reads as 3 tons (36,000 BTU/h nominal).
The DOE certification database lists it at 35,000 to 36,000 BTU/h of cooling, depending on the indoor unit. York’s own documents could not be opened. The layout was checked against certified ratings. Checked on October 5, 2026: 35 of 35 models in the DOE certification database and 7 of 7 in the ENERGY STAR list read to the certified size.
York, Coleman and Luxaire three-character series (YC4, YC6, YH6, XC4, XC6, XH6, HH8 and similar)
Characters 4 and 5, right after the three-character series.
YC336E2S11 reads as 3 tons (36,000 BTU/h nominal).
The DOE certification database lists it at 33,400 to 35,200 BTU/h of cooling, depending on the indoor unit. XC336E2S11 reads as 3 tons (36,000 BTU/h nominal).
The DOE certification database lists it at 33,600 to 35,200 BTU/h of cooling, depending on the indoor unit. No document for these numbers was found. The layout was checked against certified ratings. Checked on October 5, 2026: 129 of 129 models in the DOE certification database and 57 of 57 in the ENERGY STAR list read to the certified size.
Coleman and Luxaire TC and TH numbers ending 2B (TCD2B, TCE2B, TCF2B, THE2B, THF2B)
Characters 6 and 7, right after the five-character series.
TCF2B36S21 reads as 3 tons (36,000 BTU/h nominal).
The DOE certification database lists it at 35,000 to 36,000 BTU/h of cooling, depending on the indoor unit. No document for these numbers was found. The layout was checked against certified ratings. Checked on October 5, 2026: 70 of 70 models in the DOE certification database and 14 of 14 in the ENERGY STAR list read to the certified size.
Coleman and Luxaire 19B numbers (AC19B, HC19B, AL19B, HL19B)
Characters 6 and 7, right after the five-character series.
AC19B3621 reads as 3 tons (36,000 BTU/h nominal).
The DOE certification database lists it at 33,800 to 35,800 BTU/h of cooling, depending on the indoor unit. AL19B3621 reads as 3 tons (36,000 BTU/h nominal).
The DOE certification database lists it at 33,800 to 35,800 BTU/h of cooling, depending on the indoor unit. No document for these numbers was found. The layout was checked against certified ratings. Checked on October 5, 2026: 16 of 16 models in the DOE certification database and 8 of 8 in the ENERGY STAR list read to the certified size.
LX series TC and TH numbers (TC4B, TC17B, TH16B and similar)
The two digits after the refrigerant letter B.
TC4B3622S reads as 3 tons (36,000 BTU/h nominal).
More from the same documents: TC17B3621S is 3 tons.
| Characters | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brand: T = factory branded |
| 2 | Product type: C = air conditioner, H = heat pump |
| 3 | Efficiency and staging (4 = 14 SEER, single stage) |
| then | Refrigerant: B = R-410A |
| next two | Nominal capacity in MBH: 18 = 1.5 tons, 24 = 2, 30 = 2.5, 36 = 3, 42 = 3.5, 48 = 4, 60 = 5 |
| then | Voltage: 2 = 208/230 V, single phase |
| then | Generation |
Johnson Controls technical guides for the Luxaire TC4 and TC17 print the legend with the tonnage for each code. The models that use this layout are no longer in the certification databases, so it rests on the document alone.
Where is the size in a York furnace model number?
York Y8 and Y9, Coleman and Luxaire Z8 and Z9, and YP9C, CP9C, TP9C gas furnaces
The three digits right after the four-character series.
Y92V060B12SMPC1 reads as 60,000 BTU/h input.
The DOE certification database lists it at 60,000 BTU/h of input. Z9VT060B12SMPC1 reads as 60,000 BTU/h input.
The DOE certification database lists it at 60,000 BTU/h of input. The letter after the input is the cabinet width and the two digits after it are airflow in hundreds of CFM.
York’s own documents could not be opened. These numbers follow the layout of the documented TM furnaces, and that was checked against the input each model is certified at. Checked on October 5, 2026: 439 of 439 models in the DOE certification database read to the certified size.
LX series TM and LP gas furnaces (TM9E, TM9V, TM9Y, TM8E, TM8Y, LP9C and similar)
Characters 5 to 7, right after the four-character series.
TM9Y060B12MP11 reads as 60,000 BTU/h input.
TM8V060A12MP12 reads as 60,000 BTU/h input.
The DOE certification database lists it at 60,000 BTU/h of input. More from the same documents: TM9Y120D20MP11 is 120,000 BTU/h.
The letter after the input is the cabinet width and the two digits after it are airflow in hundreds of CFM.
The Luxaire TM9Y technical guide lists each model next to its input in MBH (thousands of BTU/h). Checked on October 5, 2026: 126 of 126 models in the DOE certification database read to the certified size.
Is the size in the model number the exact capacity?
No. The code is the nominal size, the round number the unit is sold as. The capacity an air conditioner or heat pump is certified at depends on the indoor coil or air handler it is matched with, and it is usually a little below the nominal figure.
For example, the DOE certification database lists the York YC2F36SB21 at 35,000 to 36,000 BTU/h of cooling across the indoor units it is certified with. Its size code is 36: 3 tons, or 36,000 BTU/h nominal.
The size of the unit you have is also not proof of the size the house needs. To check it, use the AC tonnage calculator or the furnace size calculator.
Where is the model number on the unit?
The model number is on the rating plate, next to the serial number.
On a furnace the label is inside the cabinet, behind the removable front panels.
On an air conditioner or heat pump the rating plate is on the cabinet of the outdoor unit.
Model numbers this page does not read
- York’s own documents could not be opened, so York’s legend was not seen. The layouts here come from Johnson Controls guides published for Luxaire and from certified ratings.
- York, Coleman and Luxaire models that are no longer in the certification databases, apart from the LX series covered by the Luxaire guides.
- Packaged units and ductless units: they use other layouts.
When a model number does not match a layout, the decoder says so. It does not guess.
How old is the unit?
The serial number on the same plate holds the build date: York serial number decoder, Coleman serial number decoder, Luxaire serial number decoder.
Questions and answers
How do I tell the tonnage of a York unit from the model number?
Find the two-digit size code, one of 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 or 60, and divide by 12. Its position depends on the series, so use the decoder or match your number to one of the layouts on this page.
Are York, Coleman and Luxaire the same?
They are brands of Johnson Controls and share designs. The same hardware is certified under all three names with the same ratings.
Sources
- US Department of Energy compliance certification database: central air conditioners and heat pumps (certified cooling capacity for each outdoor model number) (government data): https://www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data/CCMS-4-Air_Conditioners_and_Heat_Pumps_-_Central.html
- ENERGY STAR certified air-source heat pumps (certified cooling capacity for each outdoor model number) (government data): https://data.energystar.gov/Active-Specifications/ENERGY-STAR-Certified-Air-Source-Heat-Pumps/w7cv-9xjt
- Luxaire TC4 technical guide: nomenclature (manufacturer): https://files.hvacnavigator.com/p/5581703-ltg-d-0420.pdf
- Luxaire TC17 technical guide: nomenclature (manufacturer): https://files.hvacnavigator.com/p/5545027-ltg-f-0820.pdf
- US Department of Energy compliance certification database: furnaces (certified input capacity for each model number) (government data): https://www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data/CCMS-4-Furnaces.html
- Luxaire TM9Y technical guide: models and input (manufacturer): https://files.hvacnavigator.com/p/5129601-ltg-e-1219.pdf
Layouts last checked against these sources on October 5, 2026. Found a model number that reads wrong? Send a correction. How layouts are verified: method and sources.