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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Nora

      VINO VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(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 #125 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $314 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      25.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 83%
      HSPF2
      9.4 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 19%
      EER2
      12.8 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 56%
      Heat at 5°F
      9,700 BTU/h78% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 93%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 83% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 9,700 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
      BrandVINO
      Outdoor unit modelVMH12A3-VA1B3NB(O)
      SeriesNora
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size12,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableYes
      On the market sinceApril 15, 2026
      Last certifiedMay 6, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better25.0 (range 25.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.8
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.4
      Capacity at 47°F12,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F7,700 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F9,700 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.40
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder78% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(I) at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      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.
      VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(I) · cold climate25.012.89.49,700218378465
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$228-$795

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the VINO VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(O)?
      The VINO VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(O) is rated at up to 25.0 SEER2 and 12.8 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.4 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the VINO VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(O) good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 9,700 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.40, so it is still 2.4 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the VINO VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(O) cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $228-$795 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $307 in Phoenix and $683 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 VINO VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(O)?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(I).
      What refrigerant does the VINO VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(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 $318/yrYou save $309/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 VINO VMH12A3-VA1B3NB(O)
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $318
      Current system, per year
      $627
      You save per year
      $309
      Payback
      14.6 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,410

      Cooling $169Heating $149Electricity used: 1,987 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $164

      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

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      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 6, 2026. How we use the data.