HVAC Rated
    Menu

      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · URAC

      Guardian URC12CN23STG1

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

      Ranks #254 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $301 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      23.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 62%
      HSPF2
      10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 43%
      EER2
      12.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 34%
      Heat at 5°F
      11,000 BTU/h92% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 48%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 11,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandGuardian
      Also sold asColeman, Luxaire
      Outdoor unit modelURC12CN23STG1
      SeriesURAC
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size12,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJune 10, 2024
      Last certifiedFebruary 17, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.0 (range 23.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.3
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.0
      Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F10,800 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F11,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.00
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder92% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with UNI12HW23STG1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups3 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.
      UNI12HW23STG1 GUARDIAN · cold climate23.012.310.011,000214803265
      UNI12HW23STG1 Coleman · cold climate23.012.310.011,000216572150
      UNI12HW23STG1 LUXAIRE · cold climate23.012.310.011,000216572163
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$246-$738

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Guardian URC12CN23STG1?
      The Guardian URC12CN23STG1 is rated at up to 23.0 SEER2 and 12.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Guardian URC12CN23STG1 good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 11,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Guardian URC12CN23STG1 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $246-$738 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $315 in Phoenix and $625 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 Guardian URC12CN23STG1?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use GUARDIAN UNI12HW23STG1, Coleman UNI12HW23STG1, LUXAIRE UNI12HW23STG1.
      What refrigerant does the Guardian URC12CN23STG1 use?
      It uses R-454B.

      Running cost and savings

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

      Heat pump $318/yrYou save $301/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 Guardian URC12CN23STG1
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $318
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $301
      Payback
      15.0 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,493

      Cooling $184Heating $134Electricity used: 1,988 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $157

      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

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

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of February 17, 2025. How we use the data.