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      36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · P series

      Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ

      Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #29 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $986 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      23.3 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 67%
      HSPF2
      9.7 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 31%
      EER2
      13.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 78%
      Heat at 5°F
      38,000 BTU/h95% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 67%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 38,000 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

      Specifications36,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandMitsubishi Electric
      Outdoor unit modelPUZ-AK36NLHZ
      SeriesP series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size36,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceOctober 1, 2024
      Last certifiedMarch 13, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.3 (range 18.1-23.3)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-13.7
      Cooling capacity32,000-36,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.2-9.7
      Capacity at 47°F40,000-42,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F24,000-31,200 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F38,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-2.10
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder95% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with PLA-AE36NL at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups7 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.
      PLA-AE36NL · cold climate23.313.79.738,000215712212
      PCA-AK36NL · cold climate22.212.29.538,000215712214
      PKA-AK36NL · cold climate22.111.99.638,000215712213
      PEAD-AA36NL · cold climate21.712.59.338,000215712215
      PVA-AA36NL · cold climate21.212.19.238,000215712216
      PAA-BA36NL · cold climate18.111.79.438,000215712217
      PAA-CA36NL · cold climate18.111.79.438,000215712218
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$734-$2,478

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ?
      The Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ is rated at up to 23.3 SEER2 and 13.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 7 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.1-23.3.
      Is the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 38,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.10, so it is still 2.1 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $734-$2,478 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $976 in Phoenix and $2,125 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 Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ?
      ENERGY STAR lists 7 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use PLA-AE36NL, PCA-AK36NL, PKA-AK36NL.
      What refrigerant does the Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ 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 $1,006/yrYou save $916/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 Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-AK36NLHZ
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,006
      Current system, per year
      $1,922
      You save per year
      $916
      Payback
      14.7 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$4,340

      Cooling $544Heating $462Electricity used: 6,286 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $478

      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 13, 2025. How we use the data.