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      36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Smart Multi

      Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ

      Average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #37 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $887 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      23.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 62%
      HSPF2
      12.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 89%
      EER2
      14.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 88%
      Heat at 5°F
      42,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 48%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 42,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 89% of mini-splits.
      • 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

      Specifications36,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandMitsubishi Electric
      Outdoor unit modelMXZ-SM36NLHZ
      SeriesSmart Multi
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size36,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceAugust 26, 2025
      Last certifiedMarch 27, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.0 (range 16.0-23.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.9-14.5
      Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.5-12.0
      Capacity at 47°F40,000-42,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F26,600-32,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F37,000-42,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-2.00
      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 best matchup at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups5 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.
      - · cold climate23.014.512.042,000215685464
      - · cold climate20.412.711.342,000215712162
      - · cold climate17.710.910.542,000215712161
      PVFY-M36NAMU · cold climate16.011.08.537,000218083349
      PVFY-L36NAMU · cold climate16.011.08.537,000218186684
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$739-$2,164

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ?
      The Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ is rated at up to 23.0 SEER2 and 14.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 12.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 5 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-23.0.
      Is the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 42,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $739-$2,164 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $937 in Phoenix and $1,828 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 Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ?
      ENERGY STAR lists 5 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use PVFY-M36NAMU, PVFY-L36NAMU.
      What refrigerant does the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ 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 $943/yrYou save $1,011/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 Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-SM36NLHZ
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $943
      Current system, per year
      $1,954
      You save per year
      $1,011
      Payback
      13.3 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$3,385

      Cooling $551Heating $392Electricity used: 5,893 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $570

      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 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of March 27, 2026. How we use the data.