HVAC Rated

12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Q4+

Innovair QOS12H2BH0A

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

Ranks #292 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $296 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
22.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 48%
HSPF2
10.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 61%
EER2
12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 25%
Heat at 5°F
12,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 9%

A good fit if…

  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 12,000 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
BrandInnovair
Outdoor unit modelQOS12H2BH0A
SeriesQ4+
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 sinceDecember 20, 2024
Last certifiedApril 27, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better22.0 (range 19.5-22.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-12.0
Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5-10.5
Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F8,700-8,900 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F12,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with QHW12H2UZRA 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.
QHW12H2UZRA · cold climate22.012.010.512,000216778950
QHW12H2UZRB · cold climate22.011.79.512,000218373272
QCS12H2BHRA · cold climate20.012.09.512,000216626161
QDL12H2BHWA · cold climate19.511.79.512,000216626159
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$257-$715

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

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the Innovair QOS12H2BH0A?
The Innovair QOS12H2BH0A is rated at up to 22.0 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 4 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-22.0.
Is the Innovair QOS12H2BH0A good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 12,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.80, so it is still 1.8 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Innovair QOS12H2BH0A cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $257-$715 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $320 in Phoenix and $600 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 Innovair QOS12H2BH0A?
ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use QHW12H2UZRA, QHW12H2UZRB, QCS12H2BHRA.
What refrigerant does the Innovair QOS12H2BH0A 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 $320/yrYou save $299/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 Innovair QOS12H2BH0A
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$320
Current system, per year
$619
You save per year
$299
Payback
15.1 years
Net after 10 years
-$1,513

Cooling $192Heating $128Electricity used: 2,000 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $155

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 April 27, 2026. How we use the data.