What is the SEER2 rating of the Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE?

The Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.2 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.

Is the Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE 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-SH12WHLAE cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $282-$745 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $346 in Phoenix and $622 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-SH12WHLAE?

ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses RAS-SH12RHLAE.

What refrigerant does the Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE 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 · H500

Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE

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

Ranks #356 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $313 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 18%
HSPF2: 10.2 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 53%
EER2: 12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 44%
Heat at 5°F: 10,000 BTU/h83% of its 47°F output
Very good · beats 83%

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 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	Hitachi
Outdoor unit model	RAC-SH12WHLAE
Series	H500
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	February 25, 2025
Last certified	March 4, 2025
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	20.0 (range 20.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	12.5
Cooling capacity	12,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	10.2
Capacity at 47°F	12,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	12,200 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	10,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	2.25
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

Heating output as it gets colder83% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with RAS-SH12RHLAE 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.
RAS-SH12RHLAE	20.0	12.5	10.2	10,000	206907173

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$282-$745

Phoenix, AZ$346/yr
Miami, FL$282/yr
Houston, TX$310/yr
Atlanta, GA$313/yr
Los Angeles, CA$304/yr
New York, NY$745/yr
Chicago, IL$605/yr
Denver, CO$502/yr
Seattle, WA$309/yr
Minneapolis, MN$622/yr

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-SH12WHLAE?: The Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.2 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
Is the Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE 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-SH12WHLAE cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $282-$745 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $346 in Phoenix and $622 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-SH12WHLAE?: ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses RAS-SH12RHLAE.
What refrigerant does the Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE 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 Hitachi RAC-SH12WHLAE

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: -$1,742

Cooling $211Heating $132Electricity used: 2,144 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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Mitsubishi Electric MUZ-HX12NL · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Daikin RXT12AVJU · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.2 HSPF2
TCL H12SAH20BQC · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
York YRACGJ12WHAA · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 11.1 HSPF2
GE Appliances 1G12CB1BE20.0 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Daikin RXQ12ASBU20.0 SEER2 · 9.0 HSPF2
Friedrich FPHFR12A3A · cold climate20.5 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2

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.