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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · MCBU series

      MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W

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

      Ranks #114 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $275 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      25.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 83%
      HSPF2
      11.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 75%
      EER2
      13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 62%
      Heat at 5°F
      8,400 BTU/h70% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 95%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 83% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 8,400 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 75% of mini-splits.
      • 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
      BrandMDV
      Also sold asECO-AIR, Alsetria, Midea, Cooper&Hunter, C&H
      Outdoor unit modelMOX230-12HFN1-MV5W
      SeriesMCBU series
      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 sinceNovember 4, 2020
      Last certifiedApril 27, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better25.0 (range 19.0-25.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-14.0
      Cooling capacity11,500-12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.3-11.0
      Capacity at 47°F12,000-12,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F7,700-10,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F7,800-8,400 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.21-2.41
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder70% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with MFA2U-12HRFN1-MW5W at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups20 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.
      MFA2U-12HRFN1-MW5W · cold climate25.013.011.08,400209248926
      MFA2U-12HRFN1-MW5W ECO-AIR · cold climate25.013.011.08,400211644090
      MFA2U-12HRFN1-MW5W Alsetria · cold climate25.013.011.08,400211644096
      MSEPB-12HRFN1-MW5W(GA)24.613.710.78,000206369559
      MSEPB-12HRFN1-MW5W(GA) ECO-AIR24.613.710.78,000208121860
      MSEPB-12HRFN1-MW5W(GA) Alsetria24.613.710.78,000208121897
      MSEPB-12HRFN1-MW5W(GA) MIDEA24.613.710.78,000208568348
      MSAG11B-12HRFN1-MV0W(GA) · cold climate23.113.010.88,400206361866
      MSAG11B-12HRFN1-MV0W(GA) MIDEA · cold climate23.113.010.88,400207821932
      MSABB-12HRFN1-MV0W23.112.59.38,100207591145
      MFAU-12HRFN1-M(C) · cold climate22.713.010.28,400206330125
      MCA3U-12HRFN1-M(C)22.714.010.08,000206330119
      CCA3U-12HRFN1-M(C) Alsetria22.714.010.08,000211644032
      CCA3U-12HRFN1-M(C) ECO-AIR22.714.010.08,000211644057
      CCA3U-12HRFN1-M(C) MIDEA22.714.010.08,000208568355
      MCBU-12HRFN1-MV0W22.012.69.87,800209270212
      MTIU-12HWFN1-M · cold climate19.011.710.38,400206330124
      MTIU-12HWFN1-M Alsetria · cold climate19.011.710.38,400211644025
      MTIU-12HWFN1-M ECO-AIR · cold climate19.011.710.38,400211644050
      MTIU-12HWFN1-M MIDEA · cold climate19.011.710.38,400207742396
      Same unit, other model numbers1

      These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$227-$673

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

      Questions6
      What is the SEER2 rating of the MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W?
      The MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W is rated at up to 25.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 20 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.0-25.0.
      Is the MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 8,400 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.41, so it is still 2.4 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $227-$673 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $289 in Phoenix and $569 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      Is the MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W the same as the Cooper&Hunter CH-ES12-230VO?
      Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
      Which indoor units work with the MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W?
      ENERGY STAR lists 20 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use MFA2U-12HRFN1-MW5W, ECO-AIR MFA2U-12HRFN1-MW5W, Alsetria MFA2U-12HRFN1-MW5W.
      What refrigerant does the MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W 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 $291/yrYou save $328/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 MDV MOX230-12HFN1-MV5W
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $291
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $328
      Payback
      13.7 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,224

      Cooling $169Heating $122Electricity used: 1,820 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $183

      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.