What is the SEER2 rating of the WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3?

The WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3 is rated at up to 27.0 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 12.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 12 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 24.0-27.0.

Is the WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3 good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 13,700 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $210-$618 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $266 in Phoenix and $522 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 WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3?

ENERGY STAR lists 12 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use MIDEA DHMPHBQ12XA3, Weathermaker DHMPHBQ12XA3, PAYNE DHMPHBQ12XA3.

What refrigerant does the WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3 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.

12,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MP-series

WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3

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

Ranks #25 of 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $253 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 27.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 94%
HSPF2: 12.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 89%
EER2: 14.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 82%
Heat at 5°F: 13,700 BTU/h114% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 20%

A good fit if…

You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 94% of mini-splits.
Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 13,700 BTU/h at 5°F.
It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 89% of mini-splits.
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
Brand	WeatherMaker
Also sold as	Payne, Midea, Bryant, Carrier
Outdoor unit model	38MPRBQ12AA3
Series	38MP-series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	12,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	January 1, 2018
Last certified	May 6, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	27.0 (range 24.0-27.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	12.5-14.0
Cooling capacity	12,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	10.5-12.0
Capacity at 47°F	12,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	10,400 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	12,000-13,700 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.80-1.85
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder114% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DHMPHBQ12XA3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups12 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
DHMPHBQ12XA3 MIDEA · cold climate	27.0	14.0	12.0	13,700	207614958
DHMPHBQ12XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate	27.0	14.0	12.0	13,700	207614956
DHMPHBQ12XA3 PAYNE · cold climate	27.0	14.0	12.0	13,700	207614954
619PHBQ12XA3 BRYANT · cold climate	27.0	14.0	12.0	13,700	207614952
40MPHBQ12XA3 CARRIER · cold climate	27.0	14.0	12.0	13,700	207614950
DHMPHBQ12XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate	27.0	14.0	12.0	13,700	207614956
DHMPHBQ12XA3 PAYNE · cold climate	27.0	14.0	12.0	13,700	207614954
DHMPHAQ12XA3 MIDEA · cold climate	24.0	12.5	10.5	12,000	213214840
DHMPHAQ12XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate	24.0	12.5	10.5	12,000	213214837
DHMPHAQ12XA3 PAYNE · cold climate	24.0	12.5	10.5	12,000	213214834
619PHAQ12XA3 BRYANT · cold climate	24.0	12.5	10.5	12,000	213214831
40MPHAQ12XA3 CARRIER · cold climate	24.0	12.5	10.5	12,000	213214828

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$210-$618

Phoenix, AZ$266/yr
Miami, FL$210/yr
Houston, TX$239/yr
Atlanta, GA$253/yr
Los Angeles, CA$248/yr
New York, NY$618/yr
Chicago, IL$504/yr
Denver, CO$421/yr
Seattle, WA$260/yr
Minneapolis, MN$522/yr

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

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3?: The WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3 is rated at up to 27.0 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 12.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 12 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 24.0-27.0.
Is the WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3 good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 13,700 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $210-$618 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $266 in Phoenix and $522 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 WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3?: ENERGY STAR lists 12 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use MIDEA DHMPHBQ12XA3, Weathermaker DHMPHBQ12XA3, PAYNE DHMPHBQ12XA3.
What refrigerant does the WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3 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 $268/yrYou save $350/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

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.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump WeatherMaker 38MPRBQ12AA3

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $268
Current system, per year: $619
You save per year: $350
Payback: 12.8 years
Net after 10 years: -$997

Cooling $156Heating $112Electricity used: 1,678 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $206

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

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Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A12NKA726.9 SEER2 · 10.9 HSPF2
GE Appliances ASH112URDSE27.0 SEER2 · 12.0 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A12NKA826.9 SEER2 · 10.9 HSPF2
Fujitsu AOUH12KMAS1 · cold climate27.5 SEER2 · 11.2 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric MUFZ-KJ12NAHZ26.7 SEER2 · 10.6 HSPF2
GE Appliances ASH112URDE · cold climate27.5 SEER2 · 12.5 HSPF2
Trane / Mitsubishi Electric NTXSPF12A112A26.7 SEER2 · 10.6 HSPF2

See all 394 12,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 6, 2026. How we use the data.