Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: cold and very cold climatesStrengths
- Keeps 100% of its heat at 5°F, so backup heat rarely runs
- Heating efficiency (HSPF2 10.5) beats 85% of models
- Cooling efficiency up to SEER2 22, better than 81% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
Good to know
- No notable drawbacks in the certified data.
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (19.5) and HSPF2 (10.5). 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 AOU-12U3T25U at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 12,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 74% · at 5°F: 100%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $261 a year in Louisiana to $1,033 in Maine, 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¢ | $103 | $158 | $261 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $77 | $221 | $298 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $148 | $160 | $308 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $174 | $141 | $315 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $284 | $32 | $316 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $215 | $107 | $322 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $120 | $204 | $324 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $291 | $44 | $335 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $222 | $120 | $342 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $252 | $93 | $346 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $213 | $133 | $346 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $198 | $155 | $353 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $200 | $157 | $356 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $164 | $196 | $359 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $289 | $74 | $363 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $205 | $161 | $366 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $237 | $137 | $374 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $321 | $58 | $378 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $283 | $102 | $385 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $325 | $75 | $400 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $336 | $80 | $416 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $311 | $108 | $420 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $302 | $119 | $422 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $318 | $105 | $423 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $412 | $44 | $457 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $392 | $74 | $466 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $441 | $37 | $478 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $389 | $89 | $478 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $363 | $115 | $478 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $445 | $43 | $488 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $306 | $183 | $489 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $433 | $61 | $493 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $448 | $79 | $527 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $443 | $95 | $538 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $416 | $132 | $547 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $464 | $95 | $559 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $531 | $58 | $589 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $498 | $107 | $605 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $555 | $72 | $626 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $506 | $136 | $643 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $475 | $176 | $651 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $616 | $98 | $714 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $631 | $85 | $715 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $708 | $66 | $774 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $27 | $755 | $782 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $709 | $104 | $813 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $720 | $115 | $835 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $790 | $85 | $875 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $801 | $113 | $914 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $1,008 | $18 | $1,026 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $954 | $79 | $1,033 |
Same equipment sold under other brands
These listings share the same certifying manufacturer (Hisense (Guangdong) Air Conditioning Co. Ltd) and identical certified capacities and efficiency ratings, so they are almost certainly the same hardware with a different badge. If you get quotes for any of them, you are comparing installation price and warranty, not equipment. How rebadging works.
- Hisense AUW-12U3TS1
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 AOU-12U3T25U at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1 | 12,000 | 31.5–31.5 | 13.7 | 106% | $401 (−$54) | Compare |
| Bryant 37MAHAQ12AA3 | 12,000 | 20–25.5 | 11.6 | 96% | $433 (−$22) | Compare |
| Senville SENA-12HF-OG | 12,000 | 20–25.4 | 11.6 | 94% | $433 (−$22) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A12NKA7*** | 12,000 | 21.3–26.9 | 10.9 | 38% | $646 (+$191) | Compare |
| Payne 37MARAQ12AA3 | 12,000 | 19–25.5 | 11 | 74% | $443 (−$12) | Compare |
| Bryant 38MARBQ12AA3 | 12,000 | 19.5–25.5 | 10.7 | 97% | $462 (+$7) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Hisense |
| Outdoor model | AOU-12U3T25U |
| Certified by | Hisense (Guangdong) Air Conditioning Co. Ltd |
| Product type | Mini-split / multi-split |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 12,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 1 ton |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 19.5 – 22 |
| EER2 (best) | 12 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 10.5 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 12,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 8,900 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 12,000 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 1.8 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 5 |
| Latest certification | 2026-04 |
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 AOU-12U3T25U 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 $455 per year ($332 heating, $123 cooling). It ranges from about $261 in Louisiana to $1,033 in Maine.
Does the Hisense AOU-12U3T25U work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 12,000 BTU/h at 5°F, 100% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 1.8 at 5°F.
What size is the Hisense AOU-12U3T25U?
It is rated at 12,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 1 ton, and 12,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.
Is the Hisense AOU-12U3T25U the same as the Hisense AUW-12U3TS1?
Very likely. Both are certified by Hisense (Guangdong) Air Conditioning Co. Ltd with identical capacities and efficiency ratings in the ENERGY STAR database, which indicates the same equipment sold under different brands.