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 12) beats 96% of models
- Cooling efficiency up to SEER2 23, better than 87% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
Good to know
- Efficiency depends on the indoor unit: SEER2 ranges 16–23, so ask which pairing you're quoted
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (16) and HSPF2 (12). 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-SM36NLHZ-** at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 36,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 78% · 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 $894 a year in Louisiana to $3,211 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¢ | $315 | $579 | $894 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $870 | $115 | $986 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $455 | $584 | $1,039 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $236 | $809 | $1,046 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $534 | $515 | $1,049 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $658 | $393 | $1,050 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $892 | $161 | $1,053 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $369 | $745 | $1,114 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $773 | $342 | $1,114 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $680 | $437 | $1,118 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $654 | $485 | $1,139 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $885 | $270 | $1,155 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $607 | $567 | $1,174 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $612 | $572 | $1,185 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $983 | $211 | $1,193 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $629 | $588 | $1,217 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $501 | $716 | $1,217 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $726 | $500 | $1,226 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $867 | $371 | $1,238 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $995 | $274 | $1,269 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,028 | $294 | $1,321 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $953 | $396 | $1,350 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $975 | $383 | $1,357 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $926 | $437 | $1,363 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,263 | $162 | $1,425 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,202 | $270 | $1,472 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,351 | $135 | $1,486 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,191 | $326 | $1,517 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,362 | $158 | $1,520 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,113 | $421 | $1,533 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,326 | $222 | $1,547 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $937 | $669 | $1,606 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,373 | $288 | $1,661 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,357 | $349 | $1,705 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,273 | $482 | $1,755 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,420 | $348 | $1,768 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,625 | $213 | $1,838 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,524 | $392 | $1,916 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,698 | $262 | $1,960 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,550 | $498 | $2,049 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,455 | $643 | $2,098 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1,931 | $310 | $2,242 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1,887 | $358 | $2,246 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,169 | $241 | $2,411 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,170 | $380 | $2,550 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,206 | $419 | $2,625 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,418 | $311 | $2,729 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $83 | $2,760 | $2,843 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,454 | $411 | $2,865 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,088 | $66 | $3,154 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $2,922 | $289 | $3,211 |
Same equipment sold under other brands
These listings share the same certifying manufacturer (Mitsubishi Electric U.S. HVAC Division) 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.
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-SM36NLHZ-** at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-** | 36,000 | 17.5–23 | 11 | 71% | $1,494 (+$28) | Compare |
| Samsung AC036DXSCCG | 36,000 | 18.7–22 | 10.6 | 100% | $1,481 (+$15) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ2*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 10.5 | 100% | $1,449 (−$18) | Compare |
| LG ARUM036GSS5 | 36,000 | 17–23 | 10.6 | 91% | $1,876 (+$409) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL2*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 9.8 | 64% | $1,524 (+$58) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 9.8 | 58% | $1,643 (+$176) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Mitsubishi Electric |
| Outdoor model | MXZ-SM36NLHZ-** |
| 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) | 16 – 23 |
| EER2 (best) | 14.5 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 12 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 42,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 32,600 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 42,000 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 11 |
| 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-SM36NLHZ-** 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 $1,466 per year ($1,017 heating, $449 cooling). It ranges from about $894 in Louisiana to $3,211 in Maine.
Does the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ-** work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 42,000 BTU/h at 5°F, 100% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 2 at 5°F.
What size is the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ-**?
It is rated at 36,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 3 tons, and 42,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.
Is the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ-** the same as the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ***?
Very likely. Both are certified by Mitsubishi Electric U.S. HVAC Division with identical capacities and efficiency ratings in the ENERGY STAR database, which indicates the same equipment sold under different brands.