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

      Elios ESHEA12C2AN1

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

      Ranks #135 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $276 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      24.6 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 80%
      HSPF2
      11.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 75%
      EER2
      12.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 54%
      Heat at 5°F
      8,900 BTU/h74% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 97%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 80% of mini-splits.
      • 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 75% 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
      BrandElios
      Outdoor unit modelESHEA12C2AN1
      SeriesESH 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 sinceOctober 30, 2024
      Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better24.6 (range 19.5-24.6)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.0-12.7
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.0-11.0
      Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F8,500-9,100 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F8,400-8,900 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.40-2.50
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder74% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with GFHRA12C2AS1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups4 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.
      GFHRA12C2AS1 ELIOS · cold climate24.612.711.08,900216046633
      GOHRA12C2AS1 ELIOS · cold climate22.112.310.08,600216505507
      GKHRA12C2AS1 ELIOS · cold climate21.112.510.48,400216046619
      GDHRA12C2AS1 ELIOS · cold climate19.512.010.58,900216046627
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$230-$674

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Elios ESHEA12C2AN1?
      The Elios ESHEA12C2AN1 is rated at up to 24.6 SEER2 and 12.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 4 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-24.6.
      Is the Elios ESHEA12C2AN1 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 2.50, so it is still 2.5 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Elios ESHEA12C2AN1 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $230-$674 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $292 in Phoenix and $570 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 Elios ESHEA12C2AN1?
      ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use ELIOS GFHRA12C2AS1, ELIOS GOHRA12C2AS1, ELIOS GKHRA12C2AS1.
      What refrigerant does the Elios ESHEA12C2AN1 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 $294/yrYou save $325/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 Elios ESHEA12C2AN1
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $294
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $325
      Payback
      13.9 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,251

      Cooling $172Heating $122Electricity used: 1,837 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $181

      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 March 4, 2025. How we use the data.