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) beats 77% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
- Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant
Good to know
- No notable drawbacks in the certified data.
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (16.1) 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-AA12NLHZ*** at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 12,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 64% · 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 $327 a year in Louisiana to $1,348 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¢ | $135 | $192 | $327 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $101 | $268 | $369 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $195 | $194 | $388 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $229 | $171 | $400 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $158 | $247 | $405 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $373 | $38 | $411 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $282 | $130 | $412 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $382 | $53 | $435 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $292 | $145 | $436 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $280 | $161 | $441 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $331 | $113 | $444 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $260 | $188 | $448 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $215 | $237 | $452 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $262 | $190 | $452 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $269 | $195 | $464 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $379 | $89 | $469 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $311 | $166 | $477 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $421 | $70 | $491 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $371 | $123 | $495 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $427 | $91 | $517 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $440 | $97 | $538 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $409 | $131 | $540 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $397 | $145 | $542 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $418 | $127 | $545 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $541 | $54 | $595 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $515 | $90 | $605 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $477 | $139 | $616 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $511 | $108 | $618 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $402 | $222 | $623 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $579 | $45 | $624 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $584 | $52 | $636 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $568 | $73 | $642 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $589 | $95 | $684 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $581 | $116 | $697 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $546 | $160 | $705 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $609 | $115 | $724 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $697 | $71 | $767 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $653 | $130 | $783 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $728 | $87 | $815 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $664 | $165 | $830 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $624 | $213 | $837 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $809 | $119 | $928 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $828 | $103 | $930 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $35 | $914 | $950 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $930 | $80 | $1,010 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $930 | $126 | $1,056 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $945 | $139 | $1,084 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $1,036 | $103 | $1,140 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $1,052 | $136 | $1,188 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $1,323 | $22 | $1,345 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $1,252 | $96 | $1,348 |
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-AA12NLHZ*** at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1 | 12,000 | 31.5–31.5 | 13.7 | 106% | $401 (−$184) | Compare |
| Bryant 37MAHAQ12AA3 | 12,000 | 20–25.5 | 11.6 | 96% | $433 (−$152) | Compare |
| Senville SENA-12HF-OG | 12,000 | 20–25.4 | 11.6 | 94% | $433 (−$152) | Compare |
| Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A12NKA7*** | 12,000 | 21.3–26.9 | 10.9 | 38% | $646 (+$61) | Compare |
| Payne 37MARAQ12AA3 | 12,000 | 19–25.5 | 11 | 74% | $443 (−$142) | Compare |
| Bryant 38MARBQ12AA3 | 12,000 | 19.5–25.5 | 10.7 | 97% | $462 (−$122) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Mitsubishi Electric |
| Outdoor model | SUZ-AA12NLHZ*** |
| Certified by | Mitsubishi Electric U.S. HVAC Division |
| Product type | Mini-split / multi-split |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 12,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 1 ton |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 16.1 – 17.6 |
| EER2 (best) | 14.1 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 10 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 15,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 9,600 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 15,000 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.1 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 12 |
| Latest certification | 2026-06 |
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-AA12NLHZ*** 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 $585 per year ($436 heating, $149 cooling). It ranges from about $327 in Louisiana to $1,348 in Maine.
Does the Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-AA12NLHZ*** work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 15,000 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 SUZ-AA12NLHZ***?
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.