12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · DE-series
Elios DEA12HOS28230E8
Very good cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #60 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 seasonVery good · beats 88%
- HSPF2
- 10.7 Heating efficiency over a seasonAverage · beats 68%
- 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 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 - 10 certified pairings.
Think twice if…
- You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Elios |
| Outdoor unit model | DEA12HOS28230E8 |
| Series | DE-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 26, 2019 |
| 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 | 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 colder
Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DEA12HIW25230E8 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEA12HIW25230E8 ELIOS · cold climate | 25.5 | 14.0 | 10.4 | 12,000 | 207742430 |
| DEA12HIW25230E8 ELIOS · cold climate | 25.5 | 14.0 | 10.4 | 12,000 | 207742430 |
| DUB12HIFU230X5A ELIOS · cold climate | 24.2 | 13.3 | 10.7 | 11,900 | 214844432 |
| DUA12HIFU230E5 ELIOS · cold climate | 23.6 | 13.0 | 10.0 | 12,000 | 207742458 |
| DUA12HIFU230E5 ELIOS · cold climate | 23.6 | 13.0 | 10.0 | 12,000 | 207742458 |
| DE12HIW23230E3 ELIOS · cold climate | 23.6 | 13.5 | 9.5 | 10,000 | 208119829 |
| DUA12HICU230X5 ELIOS · cold climate | 22.3 | 12.7 | 10.2 | 11,300 | 207742440 |
| DUA12HICU230X5 ELIOS · cold climate | 22.3 | 12.7 | 10.2 | 11,300 | 207742440 |
| DUA12HIDU230X5 ELIOS · cold climate | 19.5 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 12,100 | 207742453 |
| DUA12HIDU230X5 ELIOS · cold climate | 19.5 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 12,100 | 207742453 |
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- 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.
Questions
- What is the SEER2 rating of the Elios DEA12HOS28230E8?
- The Elios DEA12HOS28230E8 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 10 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-25.5.
- Is the Elios DEA12HOS28230E8 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 Elios DEA12HOS28230E8 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 Elios DEA12HOS28230E8?
- ENERGY STAR lists 10 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use ELIOS DEA12HIW25230E8, ELIOS DUB12HIFU230X5A, ELIOS DUA12HIFU230E5.
- What refrigerant does the Elios DEA12HOS28230E8 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.