Home / Comparisons / 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pumps
GREE EXTRÊME R32 and SENVILLE AURA R454B, hour by hour
Two 12,000 BTU wall units certified ENERGY STAR cold climate and offered by AirGreen, one on R-32, the other on R-454B. Their AHRI certificates are measured at the same temperatures, down to −30 °C. This page sets them side by side, then follows them through two real January days in Montréal.
EXTRÊME R32, 12,000 BTU
GWH12AVDXE-D6DN***/I / GWH12AVDXE-D6DNA1B/O · AHRI 215386290
See the product pageOther names: same AHRI certificate as the GREE AIRY R32; same NEEP-certified values for the GREE SAPPHIRE R32 and the KINGHOME AIRY R32.
AURA R454B, 12,000 BTU
SENA-12HF-IGG / SENA-12HF-OG · AHRI 215735296
See the product pageOther names: same AHRI- and NEEP-certified values as the MIDEA28 (AHRI 215471381), the DIRECT AIR HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B (216571373) and the BOSCH Climate 5000 MAX PERFORMANCE R-454B (215223282).
January 24, 2026, Montréalfrom −20 °C at midnight to −25 °C at 8:00: the coldest day of the month, recorded hour by hour.
What 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 in 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.
For these two units, the Region V HSPF2 on the certificate is the same: 8.0. The winter amount is therefore identical in this estimate; the difference over the year comes from cooling, through SEER2 (29.5 and 25.4).
How this amount is calculated
- Heat to deliver 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 (base 18 °C) and design temperature: Natural Resources Canada, HOT2000 climate data, Montréal Intl station. With fewer hours per day (“Heating” slider), the heat is reduced in the same proportion, for the heat pump as for the baseboards: this simplification does not account for 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 per day × 60 days ÷ 1,000: the method of Hydro-Québec’s air-conditioning calculator, with the SEER2 seasonal efficiency from the AHRI certificate. The number of hours is a scenario you can set above, from 1 to 24 h. At 24 h, the calculation assumes rated capacity all day long: that is a ceiling, since a variable-speed unit slows down once the room is at temperature.
- Price. Hydro-Québec Rate D in effect April 1, 2026: 7.065¢ per kWh up to 40 kWh a day, 11.142¢ beyond; the average price, 9.104¢, is the one Hydro-Québec’s calculators use. GST and QST included. Network access charges, the same with or without a heat pump, are not counted.
AirGreen method v1.1, November 9, 2026. An estimate is used to compare units under the same conditions. The actual bill depends on the house, the insulation, the settings and the use; this amount is not a promise.
Two real days of January 2026, hour by hour
The curve shows the temperature recorded each hour at the Montréal airport by Environment and Climate Change Canada. At each hour, the page displays the certified test point closest to that temperature, with its own temperature. It is not the unit's capacity at that hour: nothing is calculated between two points.
Coloured bands: the temperature zone closest to each certified point. The hours of the day take the colour of their point.
Bar: from the minimum to the maximum capacity certified at that point; yellow tick: rated capacity, when the certificate gives one. Same scale for both units.
On January 17, the thermometer stays between −12.2 °C and −3.4 °C. For 18 hours out of 24, the closest certified point is −8.3 °C: the two certificates give 13,000 and 12,800 BTU/h maximum there, 200 BTU/h apart. COP at full capacity is 2.06 for the EXTRÊME R32 and 1.75 for the AURA.
On January 24, the temperature drops from −20 °C to −25 °C at 8:00. From 3:00 to 11:00, the closest certified point becomes −30 °C: 8,500 BTU/h maximum for the EXTRÊME R32, 5,900 for the AURA. This is the point where the two records are furthest apart, by 2,600 BTU/h. For the rest of the day, the closest point is −15 °C: 12,200 and 11,500 BTU/h.
Where the two certificates meet, and where they part
Both units are certified at the same four temperatures. Each line places the two values on a single scale: a solid dot for the EXTRÊME R32, a ring for the AURA.
In heating, the two Region V HSPF2 values are identical (8.0); in the milder Region IV, the AURA is at 10.5 and the EXTRÊME R32 at 10.0. In cooling, the order reverses: SEER2 of 29.5 for the EXTRÊME R32 and 25.4 for the AURA.
Maximum capacity stays close down to −8.3 °C (200 BTU/h apart), then the gap grows to 700 BTU/h at −15 °C and 2,600 BTU/h at −30 °C. At low speed it is different: at −8.3 °C, the EXTRÊME R32 goes down to 2,800 BTU/h and the AURA to 5,300.
One detail changes how the COP at −8.3 °C reads. At rated capacity, the AURA certificate gives 2.51 for 12,000 BTU/h, and the EXTRÊME R32 certificate 2.06 for 13,000 BTU/h, which is also its maximum capacity at that point. Each manufacturer chooses its rated point; at full capacity, the COPs are 2.06 and 1.75.
R-32
Refrigerant of the EXTRÊME R32. Safety class A2L (ASHRAE 34).
R-454B
Refrigerant of the AURA R454B. Safety class A2L (ASHRAE 34).
GWP: global warming potential, values from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). Both bars are on the same scale. For details on the two refrigerants, see our page R-32 or R-454B.
Below −15 °C: two shared certified points, at −15 °C and −30 °C
NEEP certifies both units at −15 °C and at −30 °C: these two lines compare directly. In between, neither manufacturer publishes a capacity in BTU/h; the table then gives the range between the two certified points on either side of the temperature, with what each manufacturer writes.
What GREE and SENVILLE write, feature by feature
For the EXTRÊME R32: GREE Canada brochure no. 032025 and the GREE Airy Inverter R32 service manual, which covers the same model numbers. For the AURA: SENVILLE SENA-12HF product page. Each line repeats what the manufacturer writes.
EXTRÊME R32: heating stated down to −30 °C; outdoor base pan heater, active at 0 °C and below, and automatic defrost (service manual).
AURA R454B: heating down to −30 °C (−22 °F); “PTC Heat Belt and Pan”.
EXTRÊME R32: cooling stated down to −29 °C outdoors.
AURA R454B: “Low Ambient Cooling” down to −30 °C.
EXTRÊME R32: “Wi-Fi connectivity” (app not named in the brochure); YBE1FB1F remote; XE-71 wired thermostat in the component list, marked “optional”.
AURA R454B: Wi-Fi (iOS and Android); “Works with Alexa”; remote with built-in thermostat (“Follow Me”).
EXTRÊME R32: vertical and horizontal louver swing, multi-speed fan, “precise airflow control”.
AURA R454B: “Vertical Swing”; four published speeds, from Low to Turbo; “Whisper Technology”.
EXTRÊME R32: “G-AI Learning”; the brochure attaches a percentage to it that this page does not repeat.
AURA R454B: self-cleaning mode, built-in dehumidification, self-diagnosis.
EXTRÊME R32: washable dust filters; fins with an anti-corrosion coating.
AURA R454B: “Silver Ion Filter”.
EXTRÊME R32: “G10 Inverter”; two-stage variable-speed compressor; “ultra-high-frequency compressor”, up to 160 Hz per GREE.
AURA R454B: “Inverter Technology”, with no further detail on the product page.
EXTRÊME R32: “low-voltage start-up”; automatic restart with the last settings after an outage (service manual).
AURA R454B: Not published by the manufacturer on the product page consulted.
EXTRÊME R32: Not published by the manufacturer in the brochure consulted.
AURA R454B: “Refrigerant Leak Detection”.
A feature missing from a document is not necessarily missing from the unit: the document simply does not mention it. Each unit's user guide is more complete.
Eight levels at GREE, four speeds at SENVILLE
GREE publishes eight levels for the EXTRÊME R32 indoor unit, without speed names. SENVILLE publishes four for the AURA, from “Low” to “Turbo”.
How to read these figures. dB(A) measures a noise level as the ear perceives it: the lower the figure, the quieter the unit. Each dot is a value published by the manufacturer, from the lowest to the highest.
Why this is not a ranking. The GREE service manual refers to sound pressure, with no published distance. SENVILLE writes “dB”, without saying pressure or power, or the distance: different method — not comparable. The lowest level of the EXTRÊME R32, 19 dB(A), has no speed name; the AURA's, 24 dB, is the “Low” speed.
Indoor unit, in the room
All published values
Outdoor unit, outside
Published value
Measurements taken by each manufacturer using its own method: read them separately, not as a ranking.
Sources: GREE Canada EXTRÊME R32 brochure no. 032025 and GREE Airy Inverter R32 service manual; SENVILLE SENA-12HF product page. GREE also publishes sound power: 29 to 53 dB(A) indoors, 65 dB(A) outdoors.
Nearly five inches apart on the wall
The EXTRÊME R32 indoor unit is 38.19 in wide, the AURA's 33.4 in. Drag the slider to see what fits above a door or between two windows.
Is your wall wide enough?
Widths published by each manufacturer. The side clearances required by each installation manual are added to these.
Indoor units to scale
Same scale for both photos.
In profile, against the wall
Diagram to scale, height and depth published by each manufacturer: the EXTRÊME R32 is taller (13 21/32 in versus 11.76 in) and deeper (10 1/8 in versus 9.18 in).
| Installation | EXTRÊME R32 | AURA R454B |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum piping length | 131.2 ftEXTRÊME brochure no. 032025. The GREE Airy R32 service manual gives 65.6 ft for the 12,000 BTU: to be confirmed with the quote. | Not published by the manufacturer on the product page consulted. |
| Precharged length | 24.6 ftGREE AIRY R32 brochure and service manual (0.2 oz/ft added beyond that); the EXTRÊME brochure does not give it. | 25 ft |
| Maximum height difference | 82 ftService manual: 32.8 ft. | Not published by the manufacturer on the product page consulted. |
| Liquid – gas diameters | 1/4 – 1/2 in | Not published by the manufacturer on the product page consulted. |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 34 3/8 × 21 27/32 × 14 51/64 in, 78.3 lb | 30.31 × 21.65 × 12.20 in, 82.67 lb |
| Indoor unit W × H × D, weight | 38 3/16 × 13 21/32 × 10 1/8 in, 33.1 lb | 33.4 × 11.76 × 9.18 in, 24.25 lb |
| Electrical protectionPer the manufacturer | MOP 15 A (MCA 11 A) | Max. fuse 15 A (minimum circuit ampacity 12 A) |
| Dehumidification | 1.4 L/h | 1.4 L/h |
| Stated heating / cooling range | −30 to 30 °C / −29 to 50 °C | Heating down to −30 °C; low-ambient cooling down to −30 °CFull range not published on the product page. |
Outdoor unit clearances: the GREE R32 outdoor unit manual (X40270A_2, p. 8) gives them in a figure, from 30 to 200 cm depending on the side; the SENVILLE product page gives none. In both cases, they are found in the installation manual supplied with the unit.
What people ask about these two wall units
Which one heats more at −15 °C and at −30 °C?
According to NEEP, the certified maximum capacity is 12,200 BTU/h for the EXTRÊME R32 and 11,500 BTU/h for the AURA at −15 °C, then 8,500 and 5,900 BTU/h at −30 °C. Both units are measured at the same temperatures: these figures compare directly.
Why is the estimated heating cost the same for both?
Our estimate uses the Region V HSPF2, the AHRI certificate value for the coldest climate in the standard. It is 8.0 for both units. The difference over the year comes from cooling, where the SEER2 values differ.
The AURA has a Region IV HSPF2 of 10.5 and the EXTRÊME R32 10.0: what does that mean?
Region IV in the standard represents a milder climate than Region V. On that profile, the AURA certificate gives the higher value; on the colder Region V profile, both certificates give 8.0.
R-32 or R-454B: what difference does it make for me?
Both refrigerants are class A2L under ASHRAE 34. Their global warming potential, per the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, is 675 for R-32 and 466 for R-454B. Our R-32 or R-454B page describes them in detail.
SENVILLE AURA, MIDEA28, DIRECT AIR, BOSCH: why do these names come up together?
At 12,000 BTU, these models have the same AHRI- and NEEP-certified values as the AURA R454B. The indoor unit, remote, app and warranty may differ from one name to another. For its part, the EXTRÊME R32 shares its AHRI certificate with the GREE AIRY R32. See the MIDEA platform page and the Airy platform page.
The GREE brochure says SEER2 28.0: why does the page say 29.5?
GREE Canada brochure no. 032025 prints 28.0. AHRI certificate 215386290, as shown by NEEP and the ENERGY STAR directory, states 29.5. When sources differ, this page follows the certificate.
Which one is quieter?
GREE publishes 19 to 43 dB(A) for the indoor unit, SENVILLE 24 to 47 dB. Neither publishes the measurement distance, and SENVILLE does not say whether it is sound pressure or sound power. These figures place each unit; they do not allow a ranking.
Are they eligible for grants?
Eligibility depends on the official list in effect on the purchase date, and programs can change. This page promises no amount; the current list is checked when the quote is prepared.
All AHRI and NEEP values, at the same temperatures
| Certified value (AHRI, via NEEP) | EXTRÊME R32 | AURA R454B |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal efficiency, same conditions | ||
| SEER2 | 29.5 | 25.4 |
| EER2 | 15.2 | 13.4 |
| HSPF2 Region IV | 10.0 | 10.5 |
| HSPF2 Region V | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Rated capacity at 35 °C | 12,000 BTU/h | 12,000 BTU/h |
| Heating at 8.3 °C (47 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 3,270 / 12,200 / 16,200 | 3,800 / 12,000 / 16,000 |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 5.04 / 4.53 / 3.77 | 4.84 / 3.74 / 3.35 |
| Power input min. / rated / max.kW | 0.19 / 0.79 / 1.26 | 0.23 / 0.94 / 1.40 |
| Heating at −8.3 °C (17 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,800 / 13,000 / 13,000 | 5,300 / 12,000 / 12,800 |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 4.32 / 2.06 / 2.06 | 2.22 / 2.51 / 1.75 |
| Power input min. / rated / max.kW | 0.19 / 1.85 / 1.85 | 0.70 / 1.40 / 2.14 |
| Heating at −15 °C (5 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,600 / 12,200 / 12,200 | 4,100 / 11,500 / 11,500 |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 4.23 / 2.00 / 2.00 | 1.72 / 1.80 / 1.80 |
| Power input min. / rated / max.kW | 0.18 / 1.79 / 1.79 | 0.70 / 1.87 / 1.87 |
| Heating at −30 °C (−22 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / max.BTU/h | 2,600 / 8,500 | 2,000 / 5,900 |
| COP min. / max. | 4.23 / 1.75 | 1.17 / 1.25 |
| Power input at min. / max. capacitykW | 0.18 / 1.42 | 0.50 / 1.38 |
| Certifications and refrigerant | ||
| ENERGY STAR / cold climate (NEEP) | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| ENERGY STAR directory, markets listed | United States | United States, Canada |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 215386290 · 389444 | 215735296 · 385685 |
| RefrigerantGWP per the IPCC (AR4); ASHRAE 34 class | R-32 · GWP 675 · A2L | R-454B · GWP 466 · A2L |
higher marks the higher value of the same measure, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. Capacities, COPs and power inputs by point are not highlighted: the order changes depending on the point read.
Both are on the AirGreen website.
To choose for your room, talk to our team: bring the room dimensions, the width of the planned wall and your current heating.
Where each figure comes from
Data verified 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. GREE, EXTRÊME, SENVILLE and AURA are trademarks of their respective owners. Logos are used only to identify the products compared. AirGreen is a dealer for both brands; this page is not produced, sponsored or endorsed by the manufacturers.
Photos: AirGreen and manufacturers, for identification.
Does a figure look wrong to you? Write to us: any reported value is checked again.