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      Under 1.5-ton central heat pump · CS-E12SD3UAW / CU-E12SD3UA

      Panasonic CU-E12SD3UA

      Excellent cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a under 1.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #6 of 9 Under 1.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $353 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 94%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 70%
      EER2
      12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 80%
      Heat at 5°F
      - Not reported by the maker

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 94% of central heat pumps.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 70% of central heat pumps.
      • 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 want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      SpecificationsUnder 1.5 ton, R-410A
      General
      BrandPanasonic
      Outdoor unit modelCU-E12SD3UA
      SeriesCS-E12SD3UAW / CU-E12SD3UA
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal sizeUnder 1.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJune 26, 2016
      Last certifiedOctober 5, 2023
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better20.0 (range 20.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.5
      Cooling capacity11,500 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5
      Capacity at 47°F13,800 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F- BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F-
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater-
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Certified matchups1 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.
      CU-E12SD3UA20.012.59.5-9125309
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$273-$880

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Panasonic CU-E12SD3UA?
      The Panasonic CU-E12SD3UA is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Panasonic CU-E12SD3UA 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 under 1.5-ton model.
      How much does the Panasonic CU-E12SD3UA cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $273-$880 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $357 in Phoenix and $751 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 Panasonic CU-E12SD3UA?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses CU-E12SD3UA.
      What refrigerant does the Panasonic CU-E12SD3UA 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 $365/yrYou save $266/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 Panasonic CU-E12SD3UA
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $365
      Current system, per year
      $631
      You save per year
      $266
      Payback
      16.9 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,845

      Cooling $202Heating $163Electricity used: 2,282 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $124

      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 Under 1.5 ton models

      See all 9 Under 1.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of October 5, 2023. How we use the data.