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

      Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-CA12NLH

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #348 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $367 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      20.7 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 25%
      HSPF2
      9.8 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 33%
      EER2
      11.8 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 18%
      Heat at 5°F
      7,900 BTU/h53% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 78%

      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.
      • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandMitsubishi Electric
      Outdoor unit modelSUZ-CA12NLH
      SeriesM series
      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 sinceFebruary 3, 2025
      Last certifiedMay 6, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better20.7 (range 18.4-20.7)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.8-12.6
      Cooling capacity11,300-12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.5-9.8
      Capacity at 47°F14,600-15,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F9,600-9,800 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F7,700-7,900 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.10-2.20
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder53% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with MLZ-KX12NL at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups6 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.
      MLZ-KX12NL20.711.89.87,700216800245
      SLZ-AF12NL20.312.59.47,900216800244
      PEAD-AA12NL19.712.59.57,800216800247
      MFZ-KX12NL19.612.68.57,800216800246
      SEZ-AD12NL19.012.19.47,800217734714
      SVZ-AP12NL18.412.19.57,800216800248
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$275-$921

      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 SUZ-CA12NLH?
      The Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-CA12NLH is rated at up to 20.7 SEER2 and 11.8 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.4-20.7.
      Is the Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-CA12NLH 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 12,000 BTU model.
      How much does the Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-CA12NLH cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $275-$921 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $365 in Phoenix and $789 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 SUZ-CA12NLH?
      ENERGY STAR lists 6 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use MLZ-KX12NL, SLZ-AF12NL, PEAD-AA12NL.
      What refrigerant does the Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-CA12NLH 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 $375/yrYou save $292/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 SUZ-CA12NLH
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $375
      Current system, per year
      $668
      You save per year
      $292
      Payback
      15.4 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,576

      Cooling $204Heating $171Electricity used: 2,347 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $144

      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 May 6, 2026. How we use the data.