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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · H700

      Hitachi RAC-PH12WHLAE

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

      Ranks #350 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $297 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      20.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 24%
      HSPF2
      10.9 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 72%
      EER2
      13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 62%
      Heat at 5°F
      14,500 BTU/h121% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 27%

      A good fit if…

      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 72% of mini-splits.
      • 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 want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandHitachi
      Outdoor unit modelRAC-PH12WHLAE
      SeriesH700
      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 sinceFebruary 25, 2025
      Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better20.5 (range 20.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors13.0
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.9
      Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F17,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F14,500 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder121% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with RAS-PH12PHLAE 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 unitSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      RAS-PH12PHLAE20.513.010.914,500207200482
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$275-$703

      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 RAC-PH12WHLAE?
      The Hitachi RAC-PH12WHLAE is rated at up to 20.5 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.9 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Hitachi RAC-PH12WHLAE 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 Hitachi RAC-PH12WHLAE cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $275-$703 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $334 in Phoenix and $584 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 RAC-PH12WHLAE?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses RAS-PH12PHLAE.
      What refrigerant does the Hitachi RAC-PH12WHLAE 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 $329/yrYou save $289/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 RAC-PH12WHLAE
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $329
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $289
      Payback
      15.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,606

      Cooling $206Heating $123Electricity used: 2,058 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $145

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

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of March 4, 2025. How we use the data.