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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · airCore700

      Hitachi PAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC

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

      Ranks #214 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $299 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      23.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 70%
      HSPF2
      10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 43%
      EER2
      14.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 82%
      Heat at 5°F
      11,000 BTU/h90% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 82%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 70% of mini-splits.
      • 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-32
      General
      BrandHitachi
      Outdoor unit modelPAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC
      SeriesairCore700
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size12,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMay 13, 2025
      Last certifiedMarch 26, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.5 (range 20.5-23.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.5-15.0
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5-10.0
      Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F11,600-13,300 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F9,800-11,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.09-2.23
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder90% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with PCIM-B12UFA1DQ at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups4 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.
      PCIM-B12UFA1DQ HITACHI · cold climate23.514.010.010,800217450775
      PPK-B12UFA1DQ HITACHI · cold climate23.015.09.59,800217450736
      PPFC-B12UFA1DQ HITACHI · cold climate22.013.59.811,000217450768
      PPIM-B12UFA1DQ HITACHI · cold climate20.512.59.810,800217450751
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$241-$736

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Hitachi PAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC?
      The Hitachi PAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC is rated at up to 23.5 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 4 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 20.5-23.5.
      Is the Hitachi PAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC 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 2.23, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Hitachi PAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $241-$736 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $310 in Phoenix and $624 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 Hitachi PAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC?
      ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use HITACHI PCIM-B12UFA1DQ, HITACHI PPK-B12UFA1DQ, HITACHI PPFC-B12UFA1DQ.
      What refrigerant does the Hitachi PAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC use?
      It uses 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 $314/yrYou save $305/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 Hitachi PAS-12BUFASDQ1-LAC
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $314
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $305
      Payback
      14.8 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,454

      Cooling $180Heating $134Electricity used: 1,963 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $160

      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 March 26, 2026. How we use the data.