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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MAR-series

      WeatherMaker 38MARBQ12AA3

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

      Ranks #66 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $278 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      25.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 88%
      HSPF2
      10.7 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 68%
      EER2
      14.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 82%
      Heat at 5°F
      12,100 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 38%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 88% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 12,100 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
      • You want a choice of indoor units - 41 certified pairings.

      Think twice if…

      • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandWeatherMaker
      Also sold asBryant, Carrier, Payne, Midea
      Outdoor unit model38MARBQ12AA3
      Series38MAR-series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size12,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJanuary 1, 2018
      Last certifiedJune 23, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better25.5 (range 19.5-25.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-14.0
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5-10.7
      Capacity at 47°F12,000-12,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F7,500-10,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F10,000-12,100 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-1.99
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 619AHBQ12XA3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups41 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.
      619AHBQ12XA3 BRYANT · cold climate25.514.010.412,000206348143
      40MAHBQ12XA3 CARRIER · cold climate25.514.010.412,000206348136
      DHMAHBQ12XA3 PAYNE · cold climate25.514.010.412,000206350314
      DHMAHBQ12XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate25.514.010.412,000206350324
      DHMAHBQ12XA3 MIDEA · cold climate25.514.010.412,000206350319
      40MBFAQ12XA3 MIDEA · cold climate24.213.310.711,900209948190
      40MBFAQ12XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate24.213.310.711,900209948189
      40MBFAQ12XA3 PAYNE · cold climate24.213.310.711,900209948188
      40MBFAQ12XA3 BRYANT · cold climate24.213.310.711,900209948187
      40MBFAQ12XA3 CARRIER · cold climate24.213.310.711,900209948186
      40MBFQ12---3 MIDEA · cold climate23.613.010.012,000206350375
      40MBFQ12---3 Weathermaker · cold climate23.613.010.012,000206350364
      40MBFQ12---3 PAYNE · cold climate23.613.010.012,000206350353
      40MBFQ12---3 BRYANT · cold climate23.613.010.012,000206350342
      40MBFQ12---3 CARRIER · cold climate23.613.010.012,000206350331
      DHMSHAQ12XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate23.613.59.510,000206400667
      DHMSHAQ12XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate23.613.59.510,000206400667
      DHMSHAQ12XA3 MIDEA · cold climate23.613.59.510,000206400661
      DHMSHAQ12XA3 PAYNE · cold climate23.613.59.510,000206400655
      619PEQ012BBMA BRYANT · cold climate23.613.59.510,000206400649
      40MAQB12B--3 CARRIER · cold climate23.613.59.510,000206400643
      40MCCAQ18XA3 MIDEA · cold climate23.013.010.011,000210857474
      40MCCAQ18XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate23.013.010.011,000210857472
      40MCCAQ18XA3 PAYNE · cold climate23.013.010.011,000210857470
      40MCCAQ18XA3 BRYANT · cold climate23.013.010.011,000210857468
      40MCCAQ18XA3 CARRIER · cold climate23.013.010.011,000210857466
      40MBCQ12---3 MIDEA · cold climate22.312.710.211,300206350373
      40MBCQ12---3 Weathermaker · cold climate22.312.710.211,300206350362
      40MBCQ12---3 PAYNE · cold climate22.312.710.211,300206350351
      40MBCQ12---3 BRYANT · cold climate22.312.710.211,300206350340
      40MBCQ12---3 CARRIER · cold climate22.312.710.211,300206350329
      40MBDAQ12XH3 MIDEA · cold climate20.012.09.512,000211132970
      40MBDAQ12XH3 Weathermaker · cold climate20.012.09.512,000211132959
      40MBDAQ12XH3 PAYNE · cold climate20.012.09.512,000211132948
      40MBDAQ12XH3 BRYANT · cold climate20.012.09.512,000211132937
      40MBDAQ12XH3 CARRIER · cold climate20.012.09.512,000211132925
      40MBDQ12---3 MIDEA · cold climate19.511.710.012,100206350374
      40MBDQ12---3 Weathermaker · cold climate19.511.710.012,100206350363
      40MBDQ12---3 PAYNE · cold climate19.511.710.012,100206350352
      40MBDQ12---3 BRYANT · cold climate19.511.710.012,100206350341
      40MBDQ12---3 CARRIER · cold climate19.511.710.012,100206350330
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$223-$686

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the WeatherMaker 38MARBQ12AA3?
      The WeatherMaker 38MARBQ12AA3 is rated at up to 25.5 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 41 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-25.5.
      Is the WeatherMaker 38MARBQ12AA3 good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 12,100 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.99, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the WeatherMaker 38MARBQ12AA3 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $223-$686 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $287 in Phoenix and $583 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 WeatherMaker 38MARBQ12AA3?
      ENERGY STAR lists 41 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use BRYANT 619AHBQ12XA3, CARRIER 40MAHBQ12XA3, PAYNE DHMAHBQ12XA3.
      What refrigerant does the WeatherMaker 38MARBQ12AA3 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 $291/yrYou save $327/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 WeatherMaker 38MARBQ12AA3
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $291
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $327
      Payback
      13.7 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,225

      Cooling $166Heating $126Electricity used: 1,820 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $183

      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 June 23, 2026. How we use the data.