Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mixed climates with occasional hard freezesStrengths
- Heating efficiency (HSPF2 11) beats 92% of models
- Cooling efficiency up to SEER2 23, better than 87% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
- Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant
Good to know
- Efficiency depends on the indoor unit: SEER2 ranges 17.5–23, so ask which pairing you're quoted
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (17.5) and HSPF2 (11). 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 Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-** at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 36,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 65% · at 5°F: 71%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $865 a year in Louisiana to $3,376 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¢ | $336 | $530 | $865 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $251 | $740 | $992 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $484 | $534 | $1,018 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $927 | $105 | $1,032 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $569 | $471 | $1,040 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $700 | $359 | $1,059 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $393 | $681 | $1,074 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $949 | $147 | $1,097 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $724 | $400 | $1,124 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $823 | $312 | $1,135 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $696 | $443 | $1,140 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $646 | $519 | $1,165 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $652 | $523 | $1,175 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $534 | $655 | $1,188 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $943 | $246 | $1,189 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $670 | $537 | $1,207 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $773 | $457 | $1,231 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,047 | $193 | $1,239 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $923 | $340 | $1,263 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,060 | $251 | $1,310 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,094 | $268 | $1,363 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,015 | $363 | $1,378 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $986 | $399 | $1,385 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,038 | $350 | $1,388 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,345 | $148 | $1,493 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,280 | $247 | $1,527 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,439 | $123 | $1,562 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,269 | $298 | $1,566 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,185 | $385 | $1,570 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,451 | $144 | $1,595 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $998 | $612 | $1,610 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,412 | $203 | $1,614 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,463 | $263 | $1,726 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,445 | $319 | $1,764 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,356 | $440 | $1,796 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,512 | $318 | $1,830 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,731 | $195 | $1,926 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,623 | $358 | $1,981 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,809 | $240 | $2,048 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,651 | $456 | $2,107 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,549 | $588 | $2,137 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $2,010 | $328 | $2,338 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2,057 | $284 | $2,340 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,310 | $221 | $2,531 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $88 | $2,523 | $2,611 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,311 | $348 | $2,659 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,349 | $383 | $2,732 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,576 | $284 | $2,860 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,613 | $376 | $2,989 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,289 | $61 | $3,349 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $3,112 | $264 | $3,376 |
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 Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-** 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 (−$28) | Compare |
| Samsung AC036DXSCCG | 36,000 | 18.7–22 | 10.6 | 100% | $1,481 (−$13) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ2*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 10.5 | 100% | $1,449 (−$45) | Compare |
| LG ARUM036GSS5 | 36,000 | 17–23 | 10.6 | 91% | $1,876 (+$382) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL2*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 9.8 | 64% | $1,524 (+$30) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 9.8 | 58% | $1,643 (+$149) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Mitsubishi Electric |
| Outdoor model | MXZ-SM36NL-** |
| Certified by | Mitsubishi Electric U.S. HVAC Division |
| Product type | Mini-split / multi-split |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 36,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 3 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 17.5 – 23 |
| EER2 (best) | 14.1 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 11 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 41,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 26,600 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 29,000 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.2 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 13 |
| 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 Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-** 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 $1,494 per year ($1,083 heating, $411 cooling). It ranges from about $865 in Louisiana to $3,376 in Maine.
Does the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-** work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 29,000 BTU/h at 5°F, 71% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 2.2 at 5°F.
What size is the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-**?
It is rated at 36,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 3 tons, and 41,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.