12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · DIRM series
DIRECT AIR DIRM-12HXPRO28-1Z
Very good cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #75 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $283 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 25.5 Cooling efficiency over a seasonVery good · beats 88%
- HSPF2
- 10.4 Heating efficiency over a seasonAverage · beats 57%
- EER2
- 14.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayVery good · beats 82%
- Heat at 5°F
- 12,100 BTU/h100% of its 47°F outputBelow average · beats 36%
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 - 10 certified pairings.
Think twice if…
- You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | DIRECT AIR |
| Outdoor unit model | DIRM-12HXPRO28-1Z |
| Series | DIRM 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 | January 1, 2022 |
| Last certified | June 29, 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 | 10.0-10.4 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 12,000-12,500 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 9,600-10,600 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 11,300-12,100 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 1.80-1.96 |
| ENERGY STAR cold climate | Yes |
Heating output as it gets colder
Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DIRM-12HP-WM at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:
Certified matchups
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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRM-12HP-WM · cold climate | 25.5 | 14.0 | 10.4 | 12,000 | 207743725 |
| DIRM-12HP-WM · cold climate | 25.5 | 14.0 | 10.4 | 12,000 | 207743725 |
| DIRM-12HP-CO · cold climate | 23.6 | 13.0 | 10.0 | 12,000 | 207743765 |
| DIRM-12HP-CO · cold climate | 23.6 | 13.0 | 10.0 | 12,000 | 207743765 |
| DIRM-12HP-CA · cold climate | 22.3 | 12.7 | 10.2 | 11,300 | 207743740 |
| DIRM-12HP-CA · cold climate | 22.3 | 12.7 | 10.2 | 11,300 | 207743740 |
| DIRM-12HP-DUV · cold climate | 19.5 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 12,100 | 207743754 |
| DIRM-12HP-DUV · cold climate | 19.5 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 12,100 | 207743754 |
| DIRM-12HP-DUH · cold climate | 19.5 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 12,100 | 207743753 |
| DIRM-12HP-DUH · cold climate | 19.5 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 12,100 | 207743753 |
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$289/yr
- Miami, FL$223/yr
- Houston, TX$260/yr
- Atlanta, GA$283/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$280/yr
- New York, NY$702/yr
- Chicago, IL$575/yr
- Denver, CO$482/yr
- Seattle, WA$299/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$598/yr
At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.
Questions
- What is the SEER2 rating of the DIRECT AIR DIRM-12HXPRO28-1Z?
- The DIRECT AIR DIRM-12HXPRO28-1Z is rated at up to 25.5 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.4 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 10 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-25.5.
- Is the DIRECT AIR DIRM-12HXPRO28-1Z 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 1.96, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
- How much does the DIRECT AIR DIRM-12HXPRO28-1Z cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $223-$702 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $289 in Phoenix and $598 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 DIRECT AIR DIRM-12HXPRO28-1Z?
- ENERGY STAR lists 10 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use DIRM-12HP-WM, DIRM-12HP-CO, DIRM-12HP-CA.
- What refrigerant does the DIRECT AIR DIRM-12HXPRO28-1Z 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.
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See all 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 29, 2026. How we use the data.