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 23.3, better than 89% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
Good to know
- 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 (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 Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ2*** at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 36,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 82% · 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 $838 a year in Louisiana to $3,277 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¢ | $326 | $512 | $838 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $244 | $716 | $960 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $470 | $517 | $987 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $900 | $102 | $1,002 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $552 | $455 | $1,008 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $680 | $347 | $1,027 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $381 | $659 | $1,040 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $922 | $142 | $1,064 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $703 | $387 | $1,090 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $799 | $302 | $1,101 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $676 | $429 | $1,105 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $627 | $502 | $1,129 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $633 | $506 | $1,139 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $518 | $633 | $1,151 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $915 | $238 | $1,153 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $650 | $520 | $1,170 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $751 | $442 | $1,193 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,016 | $186 | $1,202 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $896 | $328 | $1,225 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,029 | $242 | $1,271 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,062 | $260 | $1,322 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $986 | $350 | $1,336 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $958 | $386 | $1,344 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,008 | $338 | $1,346 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,306 | $144 | $1,449 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,243 | $239 | $1,482 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,397 | $119 | $1,516 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,232 | $288 | $1,520 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,150 | $372 | $1,522 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,409 | $139 | $1,548 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $969 | $592 | $1,561 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,371 | $196 | $1,567 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,420 | $254 | $1,675 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,403 | $308 | $1,711 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,317 | $426 | $1,742 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,468 | $307 | $1,776 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,681 | $188 | $1,869 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,576 | $346 | $1,922 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,756 | $232 | $1,988 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,603 | $441 | $2,044 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,504 | $568 | $2,073 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1,951 | $317 | $2,268 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1,997 | $274 | $2,271 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,243 | $213 | $2,457 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $85 | $2,440 | $2,525 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,244 | $336 | $2,580 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,281 | $370 | $2,651 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,501 | $275 | $2,776 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,537 | $364 | $2,901 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,193 | $58 | $3,252 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $3,021 | $255 | $3,277 |
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-AK36NLHZ2*** 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 (+$18) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NL-** | 36,000 | 17.5–23 | 11 | 71% | $1,494 (+$45) | Compare |
| Samsung AC036DXSCCG | 36,000 | 18.7–22 | 10.6 | 100% | $1,481 (+$32) | Compare |
| LG ARUM036GSS5 | 36,000 | 17–23 | 10.6 | 91% | $1,876 (+$427) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL2*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 9.8 | 64% | $1,524 (+$75) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NL*** | 36,000 | 18.1–23.3 | 9.8 | 58% | $1,643 (+$194) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Mitsubishi Electric |
| Outdoor model | PUZ-AK36NLHZ2*** |
| 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) | 10.5 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 38,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 31,200 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 38,000 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.1 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 9 |
| Latest certification | 2026-08 |
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-AK36NLHZ2*** 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 $1,449 per year ($1,052 heating, $397 cooling). It ranges from about $838 in Louisiana to $3,277 in Maine.
Does the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ2*** work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 38,000 BTU/h at 5°F, 100% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 2.1 at 5°F.
What size is the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ2***?
It is rated at 36,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 3 tons, and 38,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.