Home / Comparisons / 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pumps
HITACHI airHome 800 and SAMSUNG WindFree MaxHeat R32, figure by figure
Two 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pumps, AHRI-certified down to −30 °C. Their NEEP records tell two different stories as the temperature drops: a wide gap at −15 °C, then two very close values at −30 °C, measured at the same temperature. Here is every step, in figures.
HITACHIairHome 800 · 12,000 BTU
RAK-XJ12PHAA / RAC-XJ12WHAA · AHRI 215911631
See the product page
SAMSUNGWindFree MaxHeat R32 · 12,000 BTU
AR12DXDABWKN / AR12DXDACWKX · AHRI 215399291
See the product pageNEEP-certified maximum capacity at each test temperature. The curves only connect published points.
What the electricity costs, in dollars, winter and summer
AirGreen estimate for the same 12,000 BTU/h zone in Montréal, on Hydro-Québec Rate D, taxes included. Both heat pumps are calculated exactly the same way, with the same method as on all our comparison pages; only their certified efficiencies change. Electric baseboards serve as the reference point.
How this amount is calculated
- Heat needed over the winter. A zone whose heat loss reaches 12,000 BTU/h (3.52 kW) at −23.1 °C, Montréal’s design temperature: 3.52 kW × 24 h × 4,167 degree-days ÷ (18 − (−23.1)) = 8,558 kWh of heat for round-the-clock heating, all winter. Heating degree-days (18 °C base) and design temperature: Natural Resources Canada, HOT2000 climate data, Montréal Intl station. With fewer hours a day (“Heating” slider), the heat is reduced in the same proportion, for the heat pump and for the baseboards alike: a simplification that ignores the recovery after a temperature setback.
- Electricity for heating. Heat pump: heat × 3.412 ÷ HSPF2 Region V, the value of the AHRI certificate published by NEEP. Region V is the coldest in the standard, and its calculation includes the backup electric heat expected when the heat pump can no longer keep up. Electric baseboards: 1 kWh of electricity for 1 kWh of heat.
- Electricity for cooling. 12,000 BTU/h ÷ SEER2 × hours a day × 60 days ÷ 1,000: the method of Hydro-Québec’s air-conditioning calculator, with the seasonal SEER2 efficiency from the AHRI certificate. The number of hours is a scenario, adjustable above from 1 to 24 h. At 24 h, the calculation assumes rated capacity all day long: that is a maximum, since a variable-speed unit slows down once the room is at the right temperature.
- Price. Hydro-Québec Rate D in effect on April 1, 2026: 7.065¢ per kWh up to 40 kWh a day, 11.142¢ above that; the average price, 9.104¢, is the one Hydro-Québec’s calculators use. GST and QST included. Grid access charges, the same with or without a heat pump, are not counted.
AirGreen method v1.1, November 9, 2026. An estimate is for comparing units under the same conditions. The actual bill depends on the house, its insulation, the settings and how it is used; this amount is not a promise.
The gap at −15 °C, then the reversal at −30 °C
Pick a temperature, or let the snowflake fall. At each stop, the two bars show the maximum heating capacity published at that temperature: solid if NEEP certified it, hatched if it comes from a manufacturer’s document.
Below −15 °C: every published value, at its own temperature
Both NEEP records have a point at −15 °C and a point at −30 °C. In between, we show the manufacturers’ tables: the HITACHI brochure of December 2024 (maximum capacity) and the SAMSUNG Technical Data Book v1.2 (average value for each condition), then the range between the two published values on either side of each temperature. Nothing is calculated between two points.
At −30 °C, both values come from the same kind of source, the AHRI certificate published by NEEP: 6,000 BTU/h for the airHome 800, 6,800 BTU/h for the WindFree MaxHeat. At the other temperatures below −15 °C, the methods differ (maximum for HITACHI, average value for SAMSUNG).
What each manufacturer writes, feature by feature
Only the features named in the documents we read are listed. When a document says nothing about one, we say so: that does not mean the feature does not exist.
Same stated limit, −30 °C; what each one delivers at that temperature is in “The descent”.
Frost forms on the outdoor coil; the water must be able to drain without freezing.
HITACHI names three cleanliness features, SAMSUNG one.
Both can be adjusted remotely; only the HITACHI brochure mentions voice control.
Cooling without a direct draft, per SAMSUNG.
Automatic settings as named by each manufacturer.
| Documented feature | airHome 800 | WindFree MaxHeat R32 |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive or automatic defrost | Yes Adaptive Defrost Technology | Not published by the manufacturer base pan heater as standard |
| Base pan heater | Yes NEEP record: 150 W, manufacturer data | Yes standard; 150 W, starts at −8 °C in heating per the NEEP record |
| Wi-Fi app | Yes airCloud Go | Yes SmartThings, built-in Wi-Fi |
| Filter and automatic cleaning | Yes FrostWash 3.0, Mold Guard 2.0 | Yes Auto Clean |
| Remote control | Not published by the manufacturer model not specified | Yes rechargeable, solar cell or USB-C |
| Compressor | Not published by the manufacturer type not specified (DuraSpin named) | Twin rotary BLDC submittal sheet |
Indoor unit sound, fan speed by fan speed
Published indoor sound pressure
Each point is a fan speed published by the manufacturer, in heating.
How to read these figures. The lower the decibels, the quieter the unit. Each point is one published fan speed. A rise of 10 dB(A) is heard as roughly twice as loud.
Why this is not a ranking. HITACHI publishes five fan speeds; SAMSUNG publishes only the lowest and the highest. Neither document gives the measuring distance or room.
Measured by each manufacturer with its own method: different methods — not comparable point by point.
On your wall and in your yard
The two indoor units, widths to the same scale
Width of the unit only, per the manufacturer. The clearances around the indoor unit are given in each manufacturer’s installation manual.
| Installation, per the manufacturers’ documents | airHome 800 | WindFree MaxHeat R32 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum piping length | 100 ft 30 m | 66 ft |
| Precharged length | Not published by the manufacturer factory charge 2.65 lb (1.2 kg), max. charge 2.98 lb | 24.6 ft |
| Maximum height difference | 65.6 ft 20 m | 49 ft |
| Liquid – gas line diameters | 1/4 – 3/8 in | 1/4 – 3/8 in |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 33.46 × 25.59 × 11.73 in, 91 lb | 31 1/8 × 21 9/16 × 11 1/4 in, 71 lb |
| Indoor unit, weight | 41.33 × 11.73 × 10.03 in, 30.07 lb | 35 × 11 3/4 × 8 7/16 in, 23.1 lb |
| Electrical protection | MCA 14 A · MOP 25 A | MCA 12 A · max. breaker 20 A |
| Dehumidification | 3.0 L/h | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Stated heating / cooling range | −30 to 24 °C / −20 to 46 °C | −30 to 24 °C / −18 to 46 °C |
Questions about this pair
Which one heats more at −15 °C?
Per NEEP, the airHome 800: 15,200 BTU/h maximum, against 9,000 BTU/h for the WindFree MaxHeat, with almost equal COPs (2.12 and 2.09).
Why does the WindFree MaxHeat have the higher value at −30 °C?
Both NEEP records have a point at −30 °C: 6,800 BTU/h (COP 1.73) for the WindFree MaxHeat and 6,000 BTU/h (COP 1.06) for the airHome 800. The SAMSUNG’s capacity drops less between −15 and −30 °C: it starts lower.
SAMSUNG claims 100% capacity at −4 °F. Why doesn’t this page use it?
SAMSUNG does not say what the percentage is based on, and its Technical Data Book gives average values, not maximums. This page follows the AHRI certificate published by NEEP for every direct comparison.
Which one costs less to run?
With our method, the gap is small: HSPF2 Region V of 8.7 and 8.5, SEER2 of 25.0 and 24.0. The “Cost by season” module shows the exact amount for your hours of use.
Are both ENERGY STAR cold climate?
Yes. Both AHRI certificates (215911631 and 215399291) are listed by NEEP as ENERGY STAR and ENERGY STAR cold climate, checked on November 9, 2026.
What about the warranty?
Each manufacturer publishes its own terms. The warranty documents come with the quote.
AHRI certificate values, as published by NEEP
| Certified value | airHome 800 | WindFree MaxHeat R32 |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal efficiencies | ||
| SEER2 | 25.0 | 24.0 |
| EER2 | 14.5 | 14.1 |
| HSPF2 Region IV | 11.5 | 10.5 |
| HSPF2 Region V | 8.7 | 8.5 |
| Rated capacity at 35 °C (cooling) | 12,500 BTU/h | 12,000 BTU/h |
| Heating, min. / rated / max. capacity | ||
| Min. / rated / max. capacity at 8.3 °C | 4,700 / 12,500 / 19,000 | 2,600 / 12,000 / 15,500 |
| Min. / rated / max. capacity at −8.3 °C | 4,500 / 11,000 / 16,800 | 1,600 / 10,600 / 10,600 |
| Min. / rated / max. capacity at −15 °C | 3,500 / 10,500 / 15,200 | 2,400 / 9,000 / 9,000 |
| Min. / rated / max. COP at 8.3 °C | 2.81 / 3.13 / 3.26 | 4.76 / 4.34 / 3.36 |
| Min. / rated / max. COP at −15 °C | 1.39 / 2.09 / 2.12 | 2.93 / 2.09 / 2.09 |
| Coldest point (same temperature) | ||
| Test temperature | −30 °C (−22 °F) | −30 °C (−22 °F) |
| Max. capacity at the coldest point | 6,000 BTU/h | 6,800 BTU/h |
| Max. COP at the coldest point | 1.06 | 1.73 |
| Certification | ||
| Refrigerant | R-32 GWP 675 (IPCC AR4), class A2L (ASHRAE 34) | R-32 GWP 675 (IPCC AR4), class A2L (ASHRAE 34) |
| ENERGY STAR · cold climate | Yes NEEP, Nov. 9, 2026 | Yes NEEP, Nov. 9, 2026 |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 215911631 · 484774 | 215399291 · 389387 |
“higher” marks the higher value of the same measurement, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation.
Both are on the AirGreen site.
For an estimate visit or a quote on either of these units.
Documents consulted
Data checked on November 9, 2026. Certified values: AHRI certificates published by NEEP. Declared values (sound, dimensions, piping, features): the manufacturers’ documents cited above. When two sources differ, the AHRI certificate prevails.
HITACHI, airHome, SAMSUNG and WindFree are trademarks of their respective owners. Logos are used only to identify the products. AirGreen is a retailer of these brands; this page is not produced, sponsored or endorsed by the manufacturers.
Photos: AirGreen and manufacturers, for identification.
Does a figure look wrong? Write to us at sales@airgreen.ca.