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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Hi-ULTRA

      Hisense AO-12U3T26U2

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

      Ranks #263 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $312 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      23.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 62%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 24%
      EER2
      12.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 34%
      Heat at 5°F
      10,600 BTU/h88% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 48%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 10,600 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.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandHisense
      Outdoor unit modelAO-12U3T26U2
      SeriesHi-ULTRA
      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 sinceMarch 11, 2026
      Last certifiedMarch 26, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.0 (range 23.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.3
      Cooling capacity12,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5
      Capacity at 47°F12,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F10,800 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F10,600 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.00
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder88% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with ASU-12U3THB25U-B at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups2 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.
      ASU-12U3THB25U-B HISENSE · cold climate23.012.39.510,600218270903
      ASU-12U3THB25U HISENSE · cold climate23.012.39.510,600218270891
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$247-$771

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Hisense AO-12U3T26U2?
      The Hisense AO-12U3T26U2 is rated at up to 23.0 SEER2 and 12.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Hisense AO-12U3T26U2 good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 10,600 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Hisense AO-12U3T26U2 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $247-$771 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $320 in Phoenix and $656 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 Hisense AO-12U3T26U2?
      ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use HISENSE ASU-12U3THB25U-B, HISENSE ASU-12U3THB25U.
      What refrigerant does the Hisense AO-12U3T26U2 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 $325/yrYou save $294/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 Hisense AO-12U3T26U2
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $325
      Current system, per year
      $619
      You save per year
      $294
      Payback
      15.3 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,564

      Cooling $184Heating $141Electricity used: 2,032 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $149

      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 26, 2026. How we use the data.