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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · KARDA

      KARDA 3KARDA12SZO

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

      Ranks #167 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $283 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      24.2 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 78%
      HSPF2
      10.7 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 68%
      EER2
      13.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 70%
      Heat at 5°F
      12,100 BTU/h99% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 38%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 78% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 12,100 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • 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
      BrandKARDA
      Outdoor unit model3KARDA12SZO
      SeriesKARDA
      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 sinceJune 3, 2020
      Last certifiedJune 13, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better24.2 (range 19.5-24.2)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-13.5
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5-10.7
      Capacity at 47°F12,000-12,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F7,500-10,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F10,000-12,100 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-1.99
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder99% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 3KARDA12CON-2 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups9 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.
      3KARDA12CON-2 · cold climate24.213.310.711,900210410112
      3KARDA12CON · cold climate23.613.010.012,000207796640
      2KARDA12UVCS · cold climate23.613.010.012,000213785826
      1KARDA12UVW · cold climate23.613.59.510,000207614052
      3KARDA12UVW · cold climate23.113.010.511,000207430432
      3KARDA12UVC · cold climate22.312.710.211,300207796638
      2KARDA12UVC · cold climate22.312.710.211,300213785827
      3KARDA12UVD · cold climate19.511.710.012,100207796639
      3KARDA12UVD · cold climate19.511.710.012,100207796639
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$234-$692

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the KARDA 3KARDA12SZO?
      The KARDA 3KARDA12SZO is rated at up to 24.2 SEER2 and 13.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 9 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-24.2.
      Is the KARDA 3KARDA12SZO good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 12,100 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.99, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the KARDA 3KARDA12SZO cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $234-$692 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $298 in Phoenix and $585 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 KARDA 3KARDA12SZO?
      ENERGY STAR lists 9 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use 3KARDA12CON-2, 3KARDA12CON, 2KARDA12UVCS.
      What refrigerant does the KARDA 3KARDA12SZO 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 $300/yrYou save $319/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 KARDA 3KARDA12SZO
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $300
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $319
      Payback
      14.1 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,314

      Cooling $175Heating $126Electricity used: 1,876 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $174

      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 June 13, 2026. How we use the data.