What is the SEER2 rating of the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1?

The Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1 is rated at up to 25.5 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 15 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-25.5.

Is the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1 good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 12,100 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.99, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $223-$686 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $287 in Phoenix and $583 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Which indoor units work with the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1?

ENERGY STAR lists 15 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use COMFORT-AIRE B-VMH12SV-1, CENTURY B-VMH12SV-1, Comfort Aire B-VMH12SV-1.

What refrigerant does the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1 use?

It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · A-series

Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1

Very good cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #56 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $278 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 25.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 88%
HSPF2: 10.7 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 68%
EER2: 14.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 82%
Heat at 5°F: 12,100 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 38%

A good fit if…

You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 88% of mini-splits.
Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 12,100 BTU/h at 5°F.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 15 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications12,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	Comfort-Aire
Also sold as	Century
Outdoor unit model	A-VMH12SV-1
Series	A-series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	12,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	December 18, 2019
Last certified	June 13, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	25.5 (range 19.5-25.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-14.0
Cooling capacity	12,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.5-10.7
Capacity at 47°F	12,000-12,500 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	7,500-10,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	10,000-12,100 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.80-1.99
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with B-VMH12SV-1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups15 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
B-VMH12SV-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	25.5	14.0	10.4	12,000	207657387
B-VMH12SV-1 CENTURY · cold climate	25.5	14.0	10.4	12,000	212940815
B-VMH12SV-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	25.5	14.0	10.4	12,000	217101834
B-VMH12FV-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	24.2	13.3	10.7	11,900	213916260
B-VMH12FV-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	24.2	13.3	10.7	11,900	217101887
B-VMH12FU-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	23.6	13.0	10.0	12,000	210568242
B-VMH12FU-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	23.6	13.0	10.0	12,000	217101882
B-VMH12SU-1C COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	23.6	13.5	9.5	10,000	208141174
B-VMH12SU-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	23.6	13.5	9.5	10,000	208141168
B-VMH12SU-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	23.6	13.5	9.5	10,000	217101856
B-VMH12SU-1C Comfort Aire · cold climate	23.6	13.5	9.5	10,000	217101862
B-VMH12CU-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	22.3	12.7	10.2	11,300	210568240
B-VMH12CU-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	22.3	12.7	10.2	11,300	217101880
B-VMH12DU-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	19.5	11.7	10.0	12,100	210568246
B-VMH12DU-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	19.5	11.7	10.0	12,100	217101886

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$223-$686

Phoenix, AZ$287/yr
Miami, FL$223/yr
Houston, TX$258/yr
Atlanta, GA$278/yr
Los Angeles, CA$275/yr
New York, NY$686/yr
Chicago, IL$561/yr
Denver, CO$470/yr
Seattle, WA$291/yr
Minneapolis, MN$583/yr

At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1?: The Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1 is rated at up to 25.5 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 15 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-25.5.
Is the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1 good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 12,100 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.99, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $223-$686 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $287 in Phoenix and $583 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Which indoor units work with the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1?: ENERGY STAR lists 15 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use COMFORT-AIRE B-VMH12SV-1, CENTURY B-VMH12SV-1, Comfort Aire B-VMH12SV-1.
What refrigerant does the Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1 use?: It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

Running cost and savings

Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.

Heat pump $291/yrYou save $327/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

Adjust heating and cooling hours

Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Comfort-Aire A-VMH12SV-1

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $291
Current system, per year: $619
You save per year: $327
Payback: 13.7 years
Net after 10 years: -$1,225

Cooling $166Heating $126Electricity used: 1,820 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $183

Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

Similar 12,000 BTU models

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Airquest DLCSRBH12AAK · cold climate25.5 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2
Custom Comfort CCOXHASZ12HP · cold climate25.5 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2
Midea MO1ES-H12B-2A · cold climate25.5 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
DIYCOOL ACIQ-12ZPL-HP230B · cold climate25.5 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2
DIRECT AIR DIRM4-12DA25-1Z · cold climate25.5 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
Elios DEA12HOS28230E8 · cold climate25.5 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2

See all 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 13, 2026. How we use the data.