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      36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · P series

      Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A36NKA8

      Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #93 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,069 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      22.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 48%
      HSPF2
      9.3 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 18%
      EER2
      12.9 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 57%
      Heat at 5°F
      16,800 BTU/h33% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 27%

      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.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 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

      Specifications36,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandMitsubishi Electric
      Outdoor unit modelPUZ-A36NKA8
      SeriesP series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size36,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceDecember 1, 2022
      Last certifiedApril 17, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better22.0 (range 19.5-22.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.0-12.9
      Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.7-9.3
      Capacity at 47°F40,000-42,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F21,200-24,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F13,600-16,800 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.72-1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder33% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with PLA-A36EA at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups3 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.
      PLA-A36EA22.012.99.314,000215445917
      PVA-A36AA19.811.08.716,800215445918
      PCA-A36KA19.511.08.913,600215445919
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$779-$2,700

      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 PUZ-A36NKA8?
      The Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A36NKA8 is rated at up to 22.0 SEER2 and 12.9 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-22.0.
      Is the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A36NKA8 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 36,000 BTU model.
      How much does the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A36NKA8 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $779-$2,700 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,045 in Phoenix and $2,322 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 PUZ-A36NKA8?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use PLA-A36EA, PVA-A36AA, PCA-A36KA.
      What refrigerant does the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A36NKA8 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 $1,082/yrYou save $873/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 PUZ-A36NKA8
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,082
      Current system, per year
      $1,954
      You save per year
      $873
      Payback
      15.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$4,774

      Cooling $576Heating $506Electricity used: 6,761 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $432

      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 17, 2026. How we use the data.