Mitsubishi Electric heat pump

SUZ-AA12NL***

Mini-split / multi-splitVariable-speed (inverter)ENERGY STAR Most Efficient (some pairings)

The Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-AA12NL*** is a mini-split / multi-split heat pump outdoor unit with a rated cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU/h (about 1 ton) and a variable-speed (inverter) compressor running on R-454B refrigerant. ENERGY STAR lists 12 certified indoor-unit pairings for it. In cold weather it still delivers 7,900 BTU/h at 5°F — 53% of its 47°F output, below the 76% median across the 308 models we track (better than 19% of them). Its HSPF2 of 10 is higher than 77% of models in our database, and its best certified SEER2 of 21.7 beats 79%.

Our take in 30 seconds

Best for: hot and mild climates

Strengths

  • Heating efficiency (HSPF2 10) beats 77% of models
  • Cooling efficiency up to SEER2 21.7, better than 79% of models
  • Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
  • Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant

Good to know

  • Only 53% of its heat output remains at 5°F; plan on backup heat in hard freezes
  • Efficiency depends on the indoor unit: SEER2 ranges 18.4–21.7, so ask which pairing you're quoted
Est. yearly cost
$566
U.S. average rates
SEER2
18.4–21.7
Cooling efficiency
HSPF2
10
Top 23% heating efficiency
Heat kept at 5°F
53%
Median is 76%
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Running-cost calculator

Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any field
Estimated annual cost
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Heating
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Cooling
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Uses the base certified SEER2 (18.4) and HSPF2 (10). 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 SUZ-AA12NL*** at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 12,000 BTU/h for reference).

47°F
15,000 BTU/h
17°F
9,800 BTU/h
5°F
7,900 BTU/h

Retention at 17°F: 65% · at 5°F: 53%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.

Estimated running cost in every state

Same unit, very different bills: from about $303 a year in Louisiana to $1,343 in Alaska, driven by local electricity prices and how much heating or cooling the climate needs. Click a column to sort.

StatePriceHeatingCoolingTotal / yr
Louisiana12.87¢$135$168$303
Florida14.99¢$101$235$336
Mississippi14.43¢$195$169$364
Arizona15.05¢$158$216$374
Nevada12.72¢$229$149$378
Tennessee13.42¢$282$114$396
Washington14.63¢$373$33$406
North Carolina14.95¢$292$127$418
Arkansas14.37¢$280$141$421
Texas15.91¢$215$208$422
South Carolina15.76¢$260$164$424
Georgia15.90¢$262$166$428
Oregon15.92¢$382$47$429
Kentucky13.80¢$331$99$430
Alabama16.33¢$269$170$440
Oklahoma14.82¢$311$145$456
Utah13.31¢$379$78$457
New Mexico16.51¢$371$108$479
Idaho13.37¢$421$61$482
Nebraska13.54¢$427$79$506
Missouri16.02¢$409$115$523
Virginia17.64¢$397$127$523
West Virginia16.31¢$440$85$525
Kansas15.47¢$418$111$529
Wyoming14.43¢$541$47$588
Colorado17.17¢$515$78$593
California29.75¢$402$194$596
Delaware18.70¢$477$122$599
Indiana17.02¢$511$94$605
North Dakota13.31¢$579$39$618
Montana15.57¢$584$46$630
South Dakota15.15¢$568$64$632
Iowa17.06¢$589$83$672
Ohio19.38¢$581$101$683
Maryland21.40¢$546$140$685
Illinois19.32¢$609$101$709
Minnesota17.20¢$697$62$758
Pennsylvania21.77¢$653$114$767
Wisconsin19.41¢$728$76$804
New Jersey24.61¢$664$144$809
District of Columbia25.98¢$624$186$810
Hawaii47.18¢$35$800$835
Connecticut24.51¢$809$104$913
Michigan22.99¢$828$90$918
Vermont23.84¢$930$70$1,000
Rhode Island28.18¢$930$110$1,040
New York28.65¢$945$121$1,067
New Hampshire27.64¢$1,036$90$1,127
Massachusetts30.48¢$1,052$119$1,171
Maine32.11¢$1,252$84$1,336
Alaska29.41¢$1,323$19$1,343
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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 SUZ-AA12NL*** at U.S.-average rates.

ModelCooling BTU/hSEER2HSPF25°F keptEst. yearly cost
Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP112,00031.5–31.513.7106%$401 (−$166)Compare
Bryant 37MAHAQ12AA312,00020–25.511.696%$433 (−$133)Compare
Senville SENA-12HF-OG12,00020–25.411.694%$433 (−$133)Compare
Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A12NKA7***12,00021.3–26.910.938%$646 (+$80)Compare
Payne 37MARAQ12AA312,00019–25.51174%$443 (−$123)Compare
Bryant 38MARBQ12AA312,00019.5–25.510.797%$462 (−$104)Compare

Full specifications

BrandMitsubishi Electric
Outdoor modelSUZ-AA12NL***
Certified byMitsubishi Electric U.S. HVAC Division
Product typeMini-split / multi-split
CompressorVariable-speed (inverter)
RefrigerantR-454B
Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
Nominal size1 ton
SEER2 (certified range)18.4 – 21.7
EER2 (best)12.6
HSPF2 (best)10
Heating capacity @ 47°F15,000 BTU/h
Heating capacity @ 17°F9,800 BTU/h
Heating capacity @ 5°F7,900 BTU/h
COP @ 5°F2.3
ENERGY STAR cold-climateNo
Certified indoor pairings12
Latest certification2026-06

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 SUZ-AA12NL*** 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 $566 per year ($436 heating, $130 cooling). It ranges from about $303 in Louisiana to $1,343 in Alaska.

Does the Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-AA12NL*** work in cold weather?

It is not ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified. It delivers 7,900 BTU/h at 5°F (53% of its 47°F capacity), so in very cold climates expect more reliance on backup heat.

What size is the Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-AA12NL***?

It is rated at 12,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 1 ton, and 15,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.

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