Home / Comparisons / 12,000 BTU wall heat pumps
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ALTAIR 700 and ORION XLTH: what changes from one series to the next
Two 12,000 BTU wall units from the same brand, both ENERGY STAR cold climate certified. The ALTAIR 700 is advertised down to −15 °C; the ORION XLTH, down to −26 °C. This page shows what that step changes in the certified values, and where it changes almost nothing.
ALTAIR 700 12,000 BTU
ASUH12KMAS / AOUH12KMAS1 · AHRI 214390708
View the product page
ORION XLTH 12,000 BTU
ASUH12KZAS / AOUH12KZAH1 · AHRI 214888802
View the product pageWhat the electricity costs, in dollars, winter and summer
AirGreen estimate for the same 12,000 BTU/h zone in Montréal, at 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 point of reference.
How this amount is calculated
- Heat needed over the winter. A zone whose heat loss reaches 12,000 BTU/h ( kW) at −23.1 °C, Montréal’s design temperature: kW × 24 h × 4,167 degree-days ÷ (18 − (−23.1)) = 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 (the “Heating” slider), the heat is reduced in the same proportion, for the heat pump and the baseboards alike: this is a simplification that ignores the recovery after a temperature setback.
- Electricity for heating. Heat pump: heat × 3.412 ÷ HSPF2 Region V, the AHRI certificate value published by NEEP. Region V is the coldest in the standard, and its calculation includes the electric backup expected when the heat pump is no longer enough. 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¢ beyond that; the average price, 9.104¢, is the one offered by Hydro-Québec’s calculators. GST and QST included. The system access charge, the same with or without a heat pump, is 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, the insulation, the settings and how it is used; this amount is not a promise.
From an efficient wall unit to a wall unit rated for extreme cold
The five FUJITSU AIRSTAGE 12,000 BTU wall units offered by AirGreen, from the ALTAIR 300 to the ORION XLTH+, with their certified values. The two units on this page are in color. Choose the value to line up.
NEEP values for AHRI certificates 217505656, 215212610, 214390708, 214888802 and 216018256, verified November 9, 2026. Badges: ENERGY STAR and ENERGY STAR cold climate according to NEEP. Photos: AirGreen product pages, not to scale.
Below −15 °C: every published number, at its exact temperature
At −15 °C, both are certified at the same point: 10,600 and 16,600 BTU/h maximum. It is also the ALTAIR 700's last published point, from NEEP and from the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE technical manual alike. Lower down, only the ORION XLTH has values.
ORION XLTH · maximum capacity as % of 12,000 BTU/h (brochure FG8153C)
Base: the model’s rated capacity, with 21 °C indoors (revision 4/2025). Vertical line: 100%. The ALTAIR 700 brochure (FG8150D) gives no percentage by temperature.
Almost the same list, one difference in extreme cold
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE brochures FG8150D (ALTAIR 700) and FG8153C (ORION XLTH), revision 4/2025, and NEEP records.
ALTAIR 700: heating advertised down to −15 °C, “no shutoff device”; heated base pan: not published by the manufacturer.
ORION XLTH: heating advertised down to −26 °C, “no lockout”; 150 W heated base pan (NEEP).
ALTAIR 700: down to −10 °C outdoors.
ORION XLTH: down to −10 °C outdoors.
ALTAIR 700: Economy / Energy Saving, Powerful, Minimum Heat.
ORION XLTH: the same, plus Occupancy (presence detection).
ALTAIR 700: Built-in Wi-Fi, AIRSTAGE Mobile; wireless remote included; UTY wall controls with the UTY-TWRXZ2 kit.
ORION XLTH: Built-in Wi-Fi, AIRSTAGE Mobile; backlit remote included; same wall controls.
ALTAIR 700: automatic restart and defrost.
ORION XLTH: automatic restart and defrost.
ALTAIR 700: washable filter; inverter compressor.
ORION XLTH: washable filter; inverter compressor.
One brand, one method
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE measures both in its anechoic chamber. The ALTAIR 700 publishes four speeds, the ORION XLTH six.
How to read these numbers. dB(A) measures a noise level the way the ear perceives it: the lower the number, the quieter the unit. Each dot is a published fan speed, from slowest to fastest.
Why this is not a ranking. The airflows are not the same: 153 to 400 CFM for the ALTAIR 700, 200 to 518 for the ORION XLTH in cooling. A unit that moves less air can be quieter at the same named speed.
Indoor unit, in the room
Cooling, every published speed
Outdoor unit, outside
Cooling, highest published speed
Same manufacturer, same measurement method: at equal speed, read the difference together with each unit’s airflow, which is not the same.
Smaller, lighter, less piping
Indoor units to scale
Width × height × depth. The ALTAIR 700 photo is a three-quarter view; the dimension line gives the published width.
Is your wall wide enough?
Unit width only; the clearances from the installation manual come on top.
| Installation | ALTAIR 700 | ORION XLTH |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum piping length | 66 ft | 82 ft |
| Precharged length | 49 ft | 49 ft |
| Maximum height difference | 49 ft | 66 ft |
| Liquid – gas diameters | 1/4 – 3/8 in | 1/4 – 3/8 in |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 31 7/16 × 21 5/16 × 11 7/16 in, 71 lb | 31 7/16 × 24 7/8 × 11 7/16 in, 86 lb |
| Indoor unit, weight | 22 lb | 28 lb |
| Electrical protectionAccording to the manufacturer | 15 A breaker | 15 A breaker |
| Heated base panBrochure and statement to NEEP | Not published by the manufacturer | Yes, 150 W |
| Dehumidification | 1.73 L/h | 1.9 L/h |
| Advertised heating / cooling range | −15 to 24 °C / −10 to 50 °C | −26 to 24 °C / −10 to 50 °C |
Brochures FG8150D and FG8153C (revision 4/2025); manuals DR_AS231ES_03 and DR_AS233ES_02.
What people ask about these two series
The ALTAIR 700 is ENERGY STAR cold climate: why does it stop at −15 °C?
NEEP and the ENERGY STAR directory classify it as cold climate, based on its measurements at 5 °F (−15 °C). FUJITSU AIRSTAGE advertises its heating down to −15 °C and publishes no capacity lower down. The ORION XLTH is advertised down to −26 °C and measured by NEEP at −26.1 °C.
How much more does the ORION XLTH heat at −15 °C?
According to NEEP, 16,600 BTU/h maximum versus 10,600 for the ALTAIR 700, at the same test point. Their COPs at full capacity are close there: 2.16 and 2.39.
And at −8.3 °C?
18,700 versus 13,200 BTU/h maximum. The ALTAIR 700's COP at full capacity is higher there (2.65 versus 2.44), at a lower capacity.
Why does the ALTAIR 300 have more capacity at −15 °C than the ALTAIR 500?
These are the certified values: 8,800 BTU/h maximum for the ALTAIR 300 (208/230 V) and 8,500 for the ALTAIR 500. The steps of the range do not all go up on every measurement; SEER2 and HSPF2, on the other hand, go up from one step to the next.
Which one is quieter?
At its lowest speed, the ALTAIR 700 is published at 19 dB(A), the ORION XLTH at 23 dB(A); at the highest, 40 and 43 dB(A) in cooling. The airflows differ too.
Are they eligible for rebates?
Eligibility depends on the official list in effect on the date of purchase. This page promises no amount; the current list is checked at the time of the quote.
All AHRI and NEEP values
| Certified value | ALTAIR 700 | ORION XLTH |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | ||
| 35 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 3,100 / 12,000 / 13,800 | 3,100 / 12,000 / 16,000 |
| SEER2 | 27.5 | 30.5 |
| EER2 | 13.5 | 16.0 |
| Heating, same conditions | ||
| HSPF2 Region IV / V | 11.2 / 8.5 | 12.7 / 10.1 |
| 8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,800 / 14,000 / 15,000 | 3,500 / 16,000 / 23,600 |
| 8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 5.86 / 4.32 / 2.50 | 5.13 / 4.64 / 3.07 |
| −8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 1,700 / 8,700 / 13,200 | 2,200 / 10,000 / 18,700 |
| −8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 2.93 / 3.11 / 2.65 | 3.39 / 3.45 / 2.44 |
| −15 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,000 / 10,600 / 10,600 | 1,950 / 16,600 / 16,600 |
| −15 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 2.55 / 2.37 / 2.39 | 3.36 / 2.16 / 2.16 |
| Coldest point — different temperatures, not highlighted | ||
| Test temperature | −15 °C (5 °F) | −26.1 °C (−15 °F) |
| Capacity min. / max. | 2,000 / 10,600 BTU/h | 1,400 / 12,200 BTU/h |
| COP at maximum capacity | 2.39 | 1.81 |
| Certifications and refrigerant | ||
| ENERGY STAR / cold climate (NEEP) | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 214390708 · 397907 | 214888802 · 392122 |
| RefrigerantGWP per the IPCC (AR4); ASHRAE 34 class | R-32 · GWP 675 · A2L | R-32 · GWP 675 · A2L |
higher marks the higher value of the same measurement, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. Capacities and COPs at each point are not highlighted: the order changes depending on the point.
Both are on the AirGreen website.
To choose for your home, talk to our team: bring the room dimensions, the planned outdoor location and your current heating.
Where each number comes from
Data verified on November 9, 2026. Performance: AHRI certificates and the NEEP database. Dimensions, sound, piping and features: according to the manufacturer. When a source contradicts the AHRI certificate, the certificate prevails.
Trademarks. FUJITSU AIRSTAGE, ALTAIR and ORION XLTH are trademarks of their owner. Logos are used only to identify the products compared. AirGreen is a dealer for the brand; this page is not produced, sponsored or endorsed by the manufacturer.
Photos: AirGreen and manufacturer, for identification.
Does a figure look wrong? Write to us: every reported figure is checked again.