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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · CPP Series

      ComfortStar CPP3-12CD(O)

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

      Ranks #229 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $275 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      23.1 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 66%
      HSPF2
      11.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 84%
      EER2
      12.2 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 33%
      Heat at 5°F
      8,900 BTU/h72% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 96%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 8,900 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 84% of mini-splits.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandComfortStar
      Outdoor unit modelCPP3-12CD(O)
      SeriesCPP 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 sinceJanuary 6, 2025
      Last certifiedMay 28, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.1 (range 19.0-23.1)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-12.5
      Cooling capacity11,500-12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.0-11.5
      Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F8,500-10,400 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F8,400-8,900 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.25-2.48
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder72% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CPP3-12CD(I) at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups5 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.
      CPP3-12CD(I) COMFORTSTAR · cold climate23.112.211.58,600216720885
      T1W3-12CD(I) COMFORTSTAR · cold climate22.112.310.08,600216720907
      TPA3-12CD(I) COMFORTSTAR · cold climate21.112.510.48,400216720894
      CPA3H-12CD(I) COMFORTSTAR · cold climate19.512.010.58,900216720900
      CPA3-12CD(I) COMFORTSTAR · cold climate19.011.710.28,800217138381
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$244-$658

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the ComfortStar CPP3-12CD(O)?
      The ComfortStar CPP3-12CD(O) is rated at up to 23.1 SEER2 and 12.2 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 5 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.0-23.1.
      Is the ComfortStar CPP3-12CD(O) good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 8,900 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.48, so it is still 2.5 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the ComfortStar CPP3-12CD(O) cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $244-$658 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $302 in Phoenix and $550 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 ComfortStar CPP3-12CD(O)?
      ENERGY STAR lists 5 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use COMFORTSTAR CPP3-12CD(I), COMFORTSTAR T1W3-12CD(I), COMFORTSTAR TPA3-12CD(I).
      What refrigerant does the ComfortStar CPP3-12CD(O) 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 $300/yrYou save $319/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 ComfortStar CPP3-12CD(O)
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $300
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $319
      Payback
      14.1 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,310

      Cooling $183Heating $117Electricity used: 1,873 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $175

      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 28, 2026. How we use the data.