Home / Comparisons / 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pumps
GREE EXTRÊME R32 and TCL ULTIMATE 25, button by button
Two 12,000 BTU wall units certified ENERGY STAR cold climate and offered by AirGreen. Their AHRI certificates cross: the ULTIMATE 25 is certified for more heat down to −8.3 °C, the EXTRÊME R32 at −15 °C and at −30 °C. And they are not operated the same way: this page opens both remotes, button by button, then both apps.
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.
ULTIMATE 25, 12,000 BTU
H12SUH25XGE / H12SUH25XGC · AHRI 216506201
See the product pageOther names: no other known NEEP record with the same values.
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.
The winter difference comes from the Region V HSPF2 on the certificates: 8.0 for the EXTRÊME R32, 9.0 for the ULTIMATE 25. The summer difference comes from the SEER2: 29.5 and 25.0. The two differences run in opposite directions.
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 remotes, button by button
Both photos come from AirGreen's product images. Each numbered marker matches a button that can be read on the photo; the text beside it says what the manufacturer's manual writes about that button, with the page. Tap a marker or a line to link them.
Remote named YBE1FB1F in the GREE Canada brochure. Functions: GREE Airy Inverter R32 service manual, which covers the same model numbers and illustrates the YBE1FB9F.
- 1Mode
Cycles through the modes: Auto, Cool, Dry, Fan, Heat. Set point from 16 to 30 °C. (pp. 31–32)
- 2− / +
Lowers or raises the set point by one degree per press; also sets the timer duration. (p. 32)
- 3Fan
Fan: Auto, five speeds from low to high, then Turbo and Quiet. Held for 2 seconds in cooling or dry mode, it starts X-FAN: the fan keeps running after shutdown to dry the coil. (p. 32)
- 4On/Off
Turns the unit on or off. (p. 31)
- 5Wifi
Turns the unit's Wi-Fi on; held for 5 seconds, it turns it off. Available depending on the model, the manual notes. (p. 32)
- 6Health
Button visible on the photo. The service manual illustrates the YBE1FB9F remote, where the button in this position is called “I Feel”: the remote sends the unit the temperature it measures. It has no entry for a “Health” button; it mentions it for setting the Sleep 3 curve. (pp. 31, 32 and 34)
- 7UD swing
Airflow direction up and down: sweep or fixed position. (pp. 32–33)
- 8Humidity
In cooling: target humidity from 40 to 80%, automatic dehumidification or ordinary cooling. In Dry mode: from 30 to 70%, or continuous dehumidification. (p. 33)
- 9LR swing
Airflow direction left and right: sweep or fixed position. Depending on the model, the manual notes. (p. 33)
- 10Timer
Unit on: delayed shutdown. Unit off: delayed start. From 0.5 to 24 hours, in 30-minute steps. (pp. 33–34)
- 11Sleep
Three night curves, Sleep 1, 2 and 3; the third is set hour by hour. (p. 34)
- 12Light
Indoor unit display: on, automatic or off. (p. 34)
The manual states that this is a general-use remote: if the model lacks a button's function, the unit keeps its setting.
“Wireless Remote Controller with Wi-Fi & Voice Control” in the TCL brochure. Functions: TCL BreezeIN installation and service manual, which describes a remote with the same buttons.
- 1On / off
Turns the unit on or off. (p. 7)
- 2TURBO
Fast heating or cooling: the fan goes to its highest speed. (pp. 7 and 12)
- 3MODE
Cycles through the modes: AUTO, COOL, DRY, FAN, HEAT. (p. 7)
- 4Up and down arrows
Raise or lower the set point; also set the timer duration. (p. 7)
- 5FAN
Fan: auto, mute, five speeds from “low” to “high”, then turbo. (p. 7)
- 6Swing (two buttons)
Airflow direction: up and down, marked “optional” in the manual, and left and right. (pp. 7 and 12)
- 7I FEEL
The remote measures the temperature where it is and sends it to the unit. (pp. 12–13)
- 8ECO
ECO mode, available in cooling and in heating; TCL describes it as an automatic reduced-consumption setting. (p. 13)
- 9TIMER
Unit on: delayed shutdown. Unit off: delayed start. (p. 14)
- 10SLEEP
Preset night program; after 10 hours, the unit returns to the previous setting. (p. 13)
- 11DISPLAY
Turns the indoor unit display on or off. Six presses within 8 seconds, on DISPLAY or on ECO, start Wi-Fi pairing, according to the app guide. (p. 15; guide, p. 6)
- 12CLEAN
Self-cleaning of the indoor coil, started with the unit off; about 30 minutes. Marked “optional” in the manual. (p. 15)
On its Ultimate 25 Series page, TCL posts the spec sheet and the app guide, with no remote manual specific to the series. The BreezeIN manual notes that the display and some functions vary by model.
The app, according to each manufacturer
TCL publishes a 19-page guide for TCL Home. GREE presents two apps on two pages of its service manual. The table repeats what each document writes, nothing more.
| App | EXTRÊME R32 | ULTIMATE 25 |
|---|---|---|
| App named | GREE+ and Ewpe Smart, both presented in the service manual (pp. 42 and 43). The GREE Canada brochure writes “Wi-Fi” without naming an app. | TCL Home, in the brochure and in the app guide. |
| Phone and network required | iOS 7.0 or Android 4.4 and later, for both apps (pp. 42 and 43). | Android 5.0 or iOS 11.0 and later; 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; Bluetooth on to add the unit (pp. 1 and 5). |
| Modes, temperature and fan | Remote control over the Internet and control on the local network. The manual does not list the settings and refers to the Help section of the app (p. 42). | On and off, temperature, five modes (Cool, Heat, Dry, Fan, Auto) and six fan settings, from Turbo to Mute, and Auto (pp. 7 and 8). |
| Airflow direction, louvers | Not published by the manufacturerThe service manual does not list the app settings. | “Precise Air Flow”: airflow direction up and down and left and right; not on all models, the guide notes (p. 9). |
| Sleep mode and scheduling | Not published by the manufacturerThe service manual does not list the app settings. | Sleep with three profiles (standard, elderly, child); “Reservation”: time, mode, speed and temperature, with weekly repeat; on and off timer (pp. 9 to 11). |
| Consumption tracked in the app | Not published by the manufacturerThe service manual does not list the app settings. | “Electricity stats”: the unit's electricity consumption; not on all models, the guide notes (p. 12). |
| Maintenance and diagnosis | Not published by the manufacturerThe service manual does not list the app settings. | “Self-diagnosis”: the app shows an error code and an explanation of the problem (p. 13). |
| Voice control | Not published by the manufacturerNeither the GREE Canada brochure nor the service manual mentions it. | Google Home (on and off, temperature, mode, fan speed) and Amazon Alexa, through TCL Home (pp. 14 and 15). The brochure also mentions Google Assistant. |
A “Not published by the manufacturer” cell describes the document consulted, not the app: the GREE service manual presents GREE+ and Ewpe Smart without listing their settings, and does not say which one applies to which model. Sources: GREE Airy Inverter R32 service manual, sections 6.3 and 6.4; TCL, “Smart Control Quick Start Guide (TCL Home App)”, the document TCL calls “WIFI Remote Manual” on its Ultimate 25 Series page; GREE Canada brochure no. 032025 and TCL_ULT_050525_1. Documents accessed November 10, 2026.
Two certificates that cross between −8.3 °C and −15 °C
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 ULTIMATE 25.
Difference in certified maximum capacity at each test temperature: 18,400 and 16,200, 15,300 and 13,000, 12,000 and 12,200, 7,100 and 8,500 BTU/h. The certificates only measure at these four temperatures.
At full capacity, the certified COP of the EXTRÊME R32 is the higher one at all four temperatures: 3.77 versus 2.84 at 8.3 °C, 2.06 versus 2.04 at −8.3 °C, 2.00 versus 1.80 at −15 °C and 1.75 versus 1.22 at −30 °C. The two units do not deliver the same heat at these points: a COP is always read with the capacity that goes with it.
One detail changes the reading at −8.3 °C. At rated capacity, the ULTIMATE 25 certificate gives a COP of 3.01 for 12,000 BTU/h; the EXTRÊME R32 certificate gives 2.06 for 13,000 BTU/h, which is also its maximum capacity at that point. Each manufacturer chooses its rated point.
At low speed, the EXTRÊME R32 goes lower below zero: 2,800 versus 6,000 BTU/h at −8.3 °C, 2,600 versus 6,300 at −15 °C, 2,600 versus 5,000 at −30 °C. A lower minimum lets the unit run longer without stopping when the room needs little heat. Over a full season, the order changes between heating and cooling: Region V HSPF2 of 8.0 and 9.0 in heating, SEER2 of 29.5 and 25.0 in cooling.
R-32
Refrigerant of the EXTRÊME R32. Safety class A2L (ASHRAE 34).
R-454B
Refrigerant of the ULTIMATE 25. 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: 200 BTU/h apart at −15 °C, 1,400 at −30 °C
NEEP certifies both units at −15 °C and at −30 °C: these two lines compare directly. In between, TCL publishes a maximum capacity at −25 °C outside the certificate; GREE publishes a percentage curve, with no stated base. Where a BTU/h value is missing, the table gives the range between the two published points on either side of the temperature.
What GREE and TCL write, feature by feature
For the EXTRÊME R32: GREE Canada EXTRÊME R32 brochure (document 032025) and GREE Airy Inverter R32 service manual, which covers the same model numbers. For the ULTIMATE 25: TCL Ultimate 25 Series brochure (TCL_ULT_050525_1). 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).
ULTIMATE 25: “Extreme low temperature heating”: per TCL, operates efficiently down to −25 °C (−13 °F); maximum capacities published at −15, −25 and −30 °C; heating range down to −30 °C.
EXTRÊME R32: cooling stated down to −29 °C outdoors.
ULTIMATE 25: cooling stated from −15 to 55 °C outdoors.
EXTRÊME R32: “Wi-Fi connectivity” (app not named in the brochure); YBE1FB1F remote; XE-71 wired thermostat in the component list, marked “optional”.
ULTIMATE 25: wireless remote with Wi-Fi and voice control; TCL HOME app; compatible with Google Home and Alexa.
EXTRÊME R32: vertical and horizontal louver swing, multi-speed fan, “precise airflow control”.
ULTIMATE 25: “Gentle Breeze”; three published airflows: 470, 411 and 323 CFM.
EXTRÊME R32: “G-AI Learning”; the brochure attaches a percentage to it that this page does not repeat.
ULTIMATE 25: the brochure names “Gentle Breeze” and self-cleaning, without detailing other modes.
EXTRÊME R32: washable dust filters; fins with an anti-corrosion coating.
ULTIMATE 25: “Deep self-cleaning and sterilization”: condensation, frosting, defrosting, drying and sterilizing cycles.
EXTRÊME R32: “G10 Inverter”; two-stage variable-speed compressor; “ultra-high-frequency compressor”, up to 160 Hz per GREE.
ULTIMATE 25: “Inverter” compressor; DC fan motors; electronic expansion valve (EXV).
EXTRÊME R32: “low-voltage start-up”; automatic restart with the last settings after an outage (service manual).
ULTIMATE 25: Not published by the manufacturer in the brochure consulted.
EXTRÊME R32: Not published by the manufacturer in the brochure consulted.
ULTIMATE 25: Not published by the manufacturer in the brochure consulted.
A feature missing from a document is not necessarily missing from the unit: the document simply does not mention it. The detail of the buttons and apps is above, in “Remote and app”.
Eight levels at GREE, two bounds at TCL
GREE publishes eight levels for the EXTRÊME R32 indoor unit, without speed names. TCL publishes two bounds for the ULTIMATE 25: the minimum and maximum sound pressure.
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. Both manufacturers refer to sound pressure, but neither publishes the measurement distance or conditions: different method — not comparable. The lowest level of the EXTRÊME R32, 19 dB(A), has no speed name; the ULTIMATE 25's, 32 dB(A), is its published minimum.
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; TCL Ultimate 25 Series brochure (TCL_ULT_050525_1). GREE also publishes sound power: 29 to 53 dB(A) indoors, 65 dB(A) outdoors.
Nearly two inches apart on the wall
The EXTRÊME R32 indoor unit is 38.19 in wide, the ULTIMATE 25's 36 1/4 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 12 1/16 in) and deeper (10 1/8 in versus 7 11/16 in).
| Installation | EXTRÊME R32 | ULTIMATE 25 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 50 ftMinimum 10 ft, per TCL. |
| 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 ftThen 0.11 oz/ft beyond. |
| Maximum height difference | 82 ftService manual: 32.8 ft. | 33 ft |
| Liquid – gas diameters | 1/4 – 1/2 in | 1/4 – 3/8 in |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 34 3/8 × 21 27/32 × 14 51/64 in, 78.3 lb | 34 × 23 11/16 × 13 3/4 in, 69.4 lb |
| Indoor unit W × H × D, weight | 38 3/16 × 13 21/32 × 10 1/8 in, 33.1 lb | 36 1/4 × 12 1/16 × 7 11/16 in, 23.1 lb |
| Electrical protectionPer the manufacturer | MOP 15 A (MCA 11 A) | Max. breaker 20 A (MCA 12 A) |
| Dehumidification | 1.4 L/h | Not published by the manufacturer. |
| Stated heating / cooling range | −30 to 30 °C / −29 to 50 °C | −30 to 30 °C / −15 to 55 °C |
Outdoor unit clearances are in the installation manual supplied with each unit; neither the GREE Canada brochure nor the TCL brochure gives them.
What people ask about these two wall units
Which one heats more in extreme cold?
According to NEEP, the certified maximum capacity is 12,200 BTU/h for the EXTRÊME R32 and 12,000 BTU/h for the ULTIMATE 25 at −15 °C, then 8,500 and 7,100 BTU/h at −30 °C. Above that, the order reverses: 15,300 BTU/h for the ULTIMATE 25 and 13,000 for the EXTRÊME R32 at −8.3 °C. Both units are measured at the same temperatures.
Where does the cost difference between the two come from?
From two certificate values. In winter, our estimate uses the Region V HSPF2: 8.0 for the EXTRÊME R32, 9.0 for the ULTIMATE 25. In summer, it uses the SEER2: 29.5 and 25.0. The winter and summer differences therefore run in opposite directions.
Do the two remotes do the same things?
The two manuals consulted describe the same basics: modes, fan speeds, airflow direction, timer, night mode and display. The GREE manual also describes a Humidity button and the X-FAN function; the TCL manual describes ECO and CLEAN buttons. A function missing from a manual is not necessarily missing from the unit.
Which app goes with each unit?
TCL names TCL Home in its brochure and publishes an app guide, with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. The GREE Canada brochure writes “Wi-Fi” without naming an app; the GREE Airy Inverter R32 service manual presents GREE+ and Ewpe Smart, without saying which one applies to which model.
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, states 29.5. When sources differ, this page follows the certificate.
The TCL brochure says 7,800 BTU/h at 17 °F: why does the page say 12,000?
Brochure TCL_ULT_050525_1 prints 7,800 BTU/h “rated” at 17 °F (−8.3 °C). AHRI certificate 216506201, as shown by NEEP, states 12,000 BTU/h rated capacity at that temperature. Here too, the page follows the certificate.
GREE EXTRÊME R32, GREE AIRY R32, KINGHOME AIRY R32: what is the link?
At 12,000 BTU, the EXTRÊME R32 and the GREE AIRY R32 share AHRI certificate 215386290; the GREE SAPPHIRE R32 and the KINGHOME AIRY R32 have the same NEEP-certified values. The indoor unit, remote, app and warranty may differ from one name to another. For the ULTIMATE 25, we know of no other NEEP record with the same values. See the Airy platform page.
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 | ULTIMATE 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal efficiency, same conditions | ||
| SEER2 | 29.5 | 25.0 |
| EER2 | 15.2 | 14.0 |
| HSPF2 Region IV | 10.0 | 10.5 |
| HSPF2 Region V | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| 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 | 3,200 / 12,000 / 18,400 |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 5.04 / 4.53 / 3.77 | 4.08 / 4.00 / 2.84 |
| Power input min. / rated / max.kW | 0.19 / 0.79 / 1.26 | 0.23 / 0.88 / 1.90 |
| Heating at −8.3 °C (17 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,800 / 13,000 / 13,000 | 6,000 / 12,000 / 15,300 |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 4.32 / 2.06 / 2.06 | 3.20 / 3.01 / 2.04 |
| Power input min. / rated / max.kW | 0.19 / 1.85 / 1.85 | 0.55 / 1.17 / 2.20 |
| Heating at −15 °C (5 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,600 / 12,200 / 12,200 | 6,300 / 12,000 / 12,000 |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 4.23 / 2.00 / 2.00 | 1.79 / 1.80 / 1.80 |
| Power input min. / rated / max.kW | 0.18 / 1.79 / 1.79 | 1.03 / 1.95 / 1.95 |
| Heating at −30 °C (−22 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / max.BTU/h | 2,600 / 8,500 | 5,000 / 7,100 |
| COP min. / max. | 4.23 / 1.75 | 1.22 / 1.22 |
| Power input at min. / max. capacitykW | 0.18 / 1.42 | 1.20 / 1.71 |
| 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 | 216506201 · 382523 |
| 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, the distance to the outdoor location 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, TCL and ULTIMATE 25 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.