Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: hot and mild climatesStrengths
- Cooling efficiency up to SEER2 23.3, better than 89% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
- Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant
Good to know
- Only 58% of its heat output remains at 5°F; plan on backup heat in hard freezes
- Efficiency depends on the indoor unit: SEER2 ranges 18.1–23.3, so ask which pairing you're quoted
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (18.1) and HSPF2 (9.8). 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 PUZ-AK36NL*** at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 36,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 66% · at 5°F: 58%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $898 a year in Louisiana to $3,840 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¢ | $386 | $512 | $898 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $289 | $716 | $1,005 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $557 | $517 | $1,073 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $654 | $455 | $1,110 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $452 | $659 | $1,110 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $805 | $347 | $1,152 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1,066 | $102 | $1,168 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $833 | $387 | $1,219 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $801 | $429 | $1,229 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,092 | $142 | $1,234 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $743 | $502 | $1,245 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $614 | $633 | $1,247 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $946 | $302 | $1,248 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $750 | $506 | $1,256 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $770 | $520 | $1,290 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,084 | $238 | $1,322 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $889 | $442 | $1,331 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,203 | $186 | $1,389 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1,061 | $328 | $1,390 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,219 | $242 | $1,461 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,167 | $350 | $1,518 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,258 | $260 | $1,518 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,134 | $386 | $1,520 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,193 | $338 | $1,532 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,546 | $144 | $1,690 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,472 | $239 | $1,711 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,362 | $372 | $1,734 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,148 | $592 | $1,739 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,459 | $288 | $1,747 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,654 | $119 | $1,773 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,668 | $139 | $1,808 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,623 | $196 | $1,819 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,682 | $254 | $1,936 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,661 | $308 | $1,970 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,559 | $426 | $1,985 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,739 | $307 | $2,046 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,990 | $188 | $2,178 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,866 | $346 | $2,212 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2,080 | $232 | $2,311 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,898 | $441 | $2,339 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,781 | $568 | $2,350 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $101 | $2,440 | $2,541 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $2,311 | $317 | $2,628 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2,365 | $274 | $2,639 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,656 | $213 | $2,870 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,657 | $336 | $2,993 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,701 | $370 | $3,072 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,961 | $275 | $3,236 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $3,004 | $364 | $3,368 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $3,578 | $255 | $3,833 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,781 | $58 | $3,840 |
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 PUZ-AK36NL*** 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 (−$176) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-** | 36,000 | 17.5–23 | 11 | 71% | $1,494 (−$149) | Compare |
| Samsung AC036DXSCCG | 36,000 | 18.7–22 | 10.6 | 100% | $1,481 (−$162) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ2*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 10.5 | 100% | $1,449 (−$194) | Compare |
| LG ARUM036GSS5 | 36,000 | 17–23 | 10.6 | 91% | $1,876 (+$233) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL2*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 9.8 | 64% | $1,524 (−$119) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Mitsubishi Electric |
| Outdoor model | PUZ-AK36NL*** |
| 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) | 18.1 – 23.3 |
| EER2 (best) | 13.7 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 9.8 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 42,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 27,600 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 24,400 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.7 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | No |
| Certified indoor pairings | 7 |
| Latest certification | 2025-03 |
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 PUZ-AK36NL*** 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 $1,643 per year ($1,245 heating, $397 cooling). It ranges from about $898 in Louisiana to $3,840 in Alaska.
Does the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL*** work in cold weather?
It is not ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified. It delivers 24,400 BTU/h at 5°F (58% of its 47°F capacity), so in very cold climates expect more reliance on backup heat.
What size is the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL***?
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.