HVAC Rated
    Menu

      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Pacific

      Ouellet OCVX-H12A-O

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

      Ranks #154 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $305 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      24.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 79%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 24%
      EER2
      13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 62%
      Heat at 5°F
      11,000 BTU/h92% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 34%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 79% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 11,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, R-32
      General
      BrandOuellet
      Outdoor unit modelOCVX-H12A-O
      SeriesPacific
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size12,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceAugust 19, 2024
      Last certifiedApril 17, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better24.5 (range 21.0-24.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors13.0
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0-9.5
      Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F10,000-12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F10,000-11,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90-1.95
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder92% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with OCVX-H12A-I 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.
      OCVX-H12A-I OUELLET · cold climate24.513.09.511,000216472858
      OICX1-H12A-I OUELLET · cold climate23.013.09.010,000217037913
      OFCX1-H12A-I OUELLET · cold climate21.013.09.010,500217037912
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$232-$763

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Ouellet OCVX-H12A-O?
      The Ouellet OCVX-H12A-O is rated at up to 24.5 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 21.0-24.5.
      Is the Ouellet OCVX-H12A-O good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 11,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.95, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Ouellet OCVX-H12A-O cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $232-$763 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $306 in Phoenix and $652 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 Ouellet OCVX-H12A-O?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use OUELLET OCVX-H12A-I, OUELLET OICX1-H12A-I, OUELLET OFCX1-H12A-I.
      What refrigerant does the Ouellet OCVX-H12A-O use?
      It uses 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 $314/yrYou save $305/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 Ouellet OCVX-H12A-O
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $314
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $305
      Payback
      14.8 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,451

      Cooling $172Heating $141Electricity used: 1,962 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $161

      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.

      Similar 12,000 BTU models

      See all 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 17, 2026. How we use the data.