HVAC Rated

12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · MH series

EMI MHSZ112DA

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

Ranks #76 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $283 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
25.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 88%
HSPF2
10.4 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 57%
EER2
14.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 82%
Heat at 5°F
12,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 22%

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 12,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

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
BrandEMI
Also sold asCONFORTO
Outdoor unit modelMHSZ112DA
SeriesMH 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, 2022
Last certifiedJune 23, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better25.5 (range 22.3-25.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.7-14.0
Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.2-10.4
Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F9,900-10,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F11,300-12,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-1.89
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 MHWAL12DA at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups6 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.
MHWAL12DA Conforto · cold climate25.514.010.412,000210605803
MHWAL12DA · cold climate25.514.010.412,000208121925
MHWAL12DA · cold climate25.514.010.412,000208121925
MHCAS12DA Conforto · cold climate22.312.710.211,300210605807
MHCAS12DA · cold climate22.312.710.211,300208121929
MHCAS12DA · cold climate22.312.710.211,300208121929
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$223-$702

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

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the EMI MHSZ112DA?
The EMI MHSZ112DA is rated at up to 25.5 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.4 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 22.3-25.5.
Is the EMI MHSZ112DA good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 12,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.89, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the EMI MHSZ112DA cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $223-$702 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $289 in Phoenix and $598 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 EMI MHSZ112DA?
ENERGY STAR lists 6 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use Conforto MHWAL12DA, MHWAL12DA, Conforto MHCAS12DA.
What refrigerant does the EMI MHSZ112DA 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 $295/yrYou save $324/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 EMI MHSZ112DA
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$295
Current system, per year
$619
You save per year
$324
Payback
13.9 years
Net after 10 years
-$1,261

Cooling $166Heating $129Electricity used: 1,843 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $180

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 June 23, 2026. How we use the data.