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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · DRA1

      DuraSTAR DRA1U12S1B

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

      Ranks #110 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $275 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      25.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 83%
      HSPF2
      11.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 75%
      EER2
      13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 62%
      Heat at 5°F
      8,400 BTU/h70% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 95%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 83% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 8,400 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 75% of mini-splits.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      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
      BrandDuraSTAR
      Outdoor unit modelDRA1U12S1B
      SeriesDRA1
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size12,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceDecember 8, 2020
      Last certifiedApril 27, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better25.0 (range 19.0-25.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-14.0
      Cooling capacity11,500-12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.8-11.0
      Capacity at 47°F12,000-12,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F7,700-10,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F7,800-8,400 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.21-2.41
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder70% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DRAS12F1C at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups7 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 unitSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      DRAS12F1C Durastar · cold climate25.013.011.08,400210568110
      DRAW12F1B Durastar · cold climate23.113.010.88,400207787131
      DRAS12F1B Durastar · cold climate22.713.010.28,400207787139
      DRAS12F1A Durastar · cold climate22.713.010.28,400207787138
      DRAC12F1A Durastar22.714.010.08,000207787136
      DRAL12F1A Durastar22.012.69.87,800210568107
      DRAD12F1A Durastar · cold climate19.011.710.38,400207787137
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$227-$673

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the DuraSTAR DRA1U12S1B?
      The DuraSTAR DRA1U12S1B is rated at up to 25.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 7 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.0-25.0.
      Is the DuraSTAR DRA1U12S1B good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 8,400 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.41, so it is still 2.4 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the DuraSTAR DRA1U12S1B cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $227-$673 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $289 in Phoenix and $569 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 DuraSTAR DRA1U12S1B?
      ENERGY STAR lists 7 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use Durastar DRAS12F1C, Durastar DRAW12F1B, Durastar DRAS12F1B.
      What refrigerant does the DuraSTAR DRA1U12S1B 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 $328/yrSee details ↓
      1. Where you live
      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.

      2. The heat pump DuraSTAR DRA1U12S1B
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $291
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $328
      Payback
      13.7 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,224

      Cooling $169Heating $122Electricity 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.

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      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 27, 2026. How we use the data.