Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: cold and very cold climatesStrengths
- Keeps 112% of its heat at 5°F, so backup heat rarely runs
- Cooling efficiency up to SEER2 21, better than 76% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
Good to know
- Uses R-410A, a refrigerant being phased down; future service may cost more
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (19.5) and HSPF2 (9). Assumes the unit is correctly sized. How we calculate.
Heating capacity as it gets colder
A heat pump's output falls as outdoor temperature drops. This is the certified heat output of the Hisense AMW4-36U3STA at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 32,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 72% · at 5°F: 112%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $743 a year in Louisiana to $3,185 in Alaska, driven by local electricity prices and how much heating or cooling the climate needs. Click a column to sort.
| State | Price | Heating | Cooling | Total / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $320 | $422 | $743 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $240 | $590 | $830 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $462 | $426 | $888 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $375 | $543 | $918 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $543 | $376 | $918 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $668 | $286 | $954 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $884 | $84 | $968 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $691 | $319 | $1,010 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $664 | $354 | $1,018 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $906 | $118 | $1,023 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $616 | $414 | $1,030 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $509 | $522 | $1,031 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $785 | $249 | $1,034 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $622 | $417 | $1,039 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $639 | $429 | $1,067 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $899 | $197 | $1,096 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $738 | $365 | $1,103 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $881 | $271 | $1,151 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $998 | $154 | $1,152 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,011 | $200 | $1,211 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $968 | $289 | $1,258 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,044 | $214 | $1,258 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $941 | $318 | $1,259 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $990 | $279 | $1,269 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,283 | $118 | $1,401 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,221 | $197 | $1,418 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,130 | $307 | $1,437 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $952 | $488 | $1,440 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,210 | $237 | $1,448 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,372 | $98 | $1,471 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,384 | $115 | $1,499 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,347 | $162 | $1,508 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,395 | $210 | $1,605 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,378 | $254 | $1,633 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,294 | $351 | $1,645 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,443 | $254 | $1,696 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,651 | $155 | $1,806 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,548 | $286 | $1,834 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,725 | $191 | $1,916 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,575 | $363 | $1,939 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,478 | $469 | $1,947 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $84 | $2,013 | $2,097 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1,917 | $261 | $2,179 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1,962 | $226 | $2,188 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,204 | $176 | $2,380 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,204 | $277 | $2,482 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,241 | $306 | $2,547 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,457 | $227 | $2,684 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,493 | $300 | $2,793 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $2,968 | $211 | $3,179 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,137 | $48 | $3,185 |
Similar-size alternatives
Other mini-split / multi-split units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the Hisense AMW4-36U3STA at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ-** | 36,000 | 16–23 | 12 | 100% | $1,466 (+$106) | Compare |
| Samsung AC030DXSCCG | 30,000 | 19–22.8 | 10.7 | 100% | $1,266 (−$95) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK30NLHZ2*** | 30,000 | 17.6–23.8 | 11 | 100% | $1,186 (−$175) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-** | 36,000 | 17.5–23 | 11 | 71% | $1,494 (+$133) | Compare |
| Samsung AC036DXSCCG | 36,000 | 18.7–22 | 10.6 | 100% | $1,481 (+$120) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ2*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 10.5 | 100% | $1,449 (+$88) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Hisense |
| Outdoor model | AMW4-36U3STA |
| Certified by | Hisense (Guangdong) Air Conditioning Co. Ltd |
| Product type | Mini-split / multi-split |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-410A |
| Cooling capacity | 32,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 2.5 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 19.5 – 21 |
| EER2 (best) | 12.5 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 9 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 32,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 23,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 36,000 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 1.84 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 4 |
| Latest certification | 2026-06 |
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), retrieved November 7, 2026. Capacities and HSPF2 are the highest values across certified pairings; confirm your exact system's AHRI reference number with your installer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Hisense AMW4-36U3STA cost to run per year?
At the U.S. average residential electricity price of 18.16¢/kWh and typical national heating and cooling hours, we estimate about $1,361 per year ($1,033 heating, $328 cooling). It ranges from about $743 in Louisiana to $3,185 in Alaska.
Does the Hisense AMW4-36U3STA work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 36,000 BTU/h at 5°F, 112% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 1.84 at 5°F.
What size is the Hisense AMW4-36U3STA?
It is rated at 32,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 2.5 tons, and 32,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.