What is the SEER2 rating of the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A?

The Friedrich FPHSR12A3A is rated at up to 21.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.

Is the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A good for cold climates?

It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 12,000 BTU model.

How much does the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $270-$783 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $341 in Phoenix and $660 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Is the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A the same as the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A-A?

Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists 5 model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.

Which indoor units work with the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A?

ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses FRIEDRICH FPHFW12A3A.

What refrigerant does the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A 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 · Pro

Friedrich FPHSR12A3A

Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #336 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $321 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 21.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 30%
HSPF2: 9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 24%
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
Below average · beats 1%

A good fit if…

You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

Think twice if…

You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.
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	Friedrich
Also sold as	DIAL, J-KU
Outdoor unit model	FPHSR12A3A
Series	Pro
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	April 1, 2019
Last certified	July 16, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	21.0 (range 21.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	13.0
Cooling capacity	12,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.5
Capacity at 47°F	12,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	7,500 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	8,400 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.75
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

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 FPHFW12A3A at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups1 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.
FPHFW12A3A FRIEDRICH	21.0	13.0	9.5	8,400	203383866

Same unit, other model numbers4

These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

Friedrich FPHSR12A3A-A
DIAL SZHW12WW230BAJ
DIAL 12000Z-22S-230-O
J-KU JKS-12H2HP-ES(O)

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$270-$783

Phoenix, AZ$341/yr
Miami, FL$270/yr
Houston, TX$306/yr
Atlanta, GA$321/yr
Los Angeles, CA$315/yr
New York, NY$783/yr
Chicago, IL$638/yr
Denver, CO$533/yr
Seattle, WA$329/yr
Minneapolis, MN$660/yr

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

Questions6

What is the SEER2 rating of the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A?: The Friedrich FPHSR12A3A is rated at up to 21.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
Is the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A good for cold climates?: It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 12,000 BTU model.
How much does the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $270-$783 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $341 in Phoenix and $660 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Is the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A the same as the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A-A?: Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists 5 model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
Which indoor units work with the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A?: ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses FRIEDRICH FPHFW12A3A.
What refrigerant does the Friedrich FPHSR12A3A 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 $343/yrYou save $276/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 Friedrich FPHSR12A3A

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: $343
Current system, per year: $619
You save per year: $276
Payback: 16.3 years
Net after 10 years: -$1,739

Cooling $201Heating $141Electricity used: 2,141 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $132

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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DELLA 048-MS-12K2VR-21S-OUT21.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
GE Appliances 1G15AD2BE · cold climate21.0 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Daikin RXF12BVJU · cold climate21.0 SEER2 · 10.2 HSPF2
Samsung MWHE012S6S-1P · cold climate21.0 SEER2 · 9.0 HSPF2
Daikin RXF12AXVJU21.0 SEER2 · 10.2 HSPF2
AUX AJAN12HP230V1CO · cold climate21.0 SEER2 · 8.8 HSPF2
Sharp AE-X12CPU · cold climate21.0 SEER2 · 10.5 HSPF2

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

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of July 16, 2026. How we use the data.