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      12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Single Zone series

      Sharp AE-X12CPU

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

      Ranks #331 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $338 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      21.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 30%
      HSPF2
      10.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 61%
      EER2
      12.1 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 31%
      Heat at 5°F
      12,500 BTU/h89% 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 12,500 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications12,000 BTU, R-32
      General
      BrandSharp
      Outdoor unit modelAE-X12CPU
      SeriesSingle Zone series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size12,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMarch 1, 2025
      Last certifiedNovember 20, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better21.0 (range 21.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.1
      Cooling capacity12,500 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.5
      Capacity at 47°F14,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F15,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F12,500 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.10
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder89% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with AY-XP12CPU 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.
      AY-XP12CPU SHARP · cold climate21.012.110.512,500216624517
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$281-$824

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Sharp AE-X12CPU?
      The Sharp AE-X12CPU is rated at up to 21.0 SEER2 and 12.1 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Sharp AE-X12CPU good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 12,500 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 Sharp AE-X12CPU cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $281-$824 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $356 in Phoenix and $696 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 Sharp AE-X12CPU?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses SHARP AY-XP12CPU.
      What refrigerant does the Sharp AE-X12CPU use?
      It uses 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 $359/yrYou save $310/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 Sharp AE-X12CPU
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $359
      Current system, per year
      $669
      You save per year
      $310
      Payback
      14.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,398

      Cooling $210Heating $149Electricity used: 2,243 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $158

      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 November 20, 2025. How we use the data.