HVAC Rated
    Menu

      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Pular

      ForestAir FGH-12ES/E25-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 #126 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $315 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      25.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 83%
      HSPF2
      9.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 10%
      EER2
      12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 44%
      Heat at 5°F
      9,200 BTU/h77% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 32%

      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 9,200 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.
      • 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
      BrandForestAir
      Outdoor unit modelFGH-12ES/E25-O
      SeriesPular
      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 sinceMarch 1, 2023
      Last certifiedJune 13, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better25.0 (range 25.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.5
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0
      Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F10,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F9,200 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.93
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder77% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with FGH-12ES/E25-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.
      FGH-12ES/E25-I · cold climate25.012.59.09,200211624981
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$228-$796

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the ForestAir FGH-12ES/E25-O?
      The ForestAir FGH-12ES/E25-O is rated at up to 25.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the ForestAir FGH-12ES/E25-O good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 9,200 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.93, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the ForestAir FGH-12ES/E25-O cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $228-$796 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $307 in Phoenix and $685 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 ForestAir FGH-12ES/E25-O?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses FGH-12ES/E25-I.
      What refrigerant does the ForestAir FGH-12ES/E25-O 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 $318/yrYou save $300/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 ForestAir FGH-12ES/E25-O
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $318
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $300
      Payback
      15.0 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,495

      Cooling $169Heating $149Electricity used: 1,989 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $156

      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 13, 2026. How we use the data.