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FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+ and DIRECT AIR HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B, measure by measure
Two 12,000 BTU wall units, both ENERGY STAR cold climate certified, one on R-32, the other on R-454B. Something rare: NEEP measured both at the same coldest test point, −30 °C. This page starts there, then works back up to 8.3 °C.
ORION XLTH+ 12,000 BTU
ASUH12KTAS / AOUH12KTAP1 · AHRI 216018256
No other known name with this certificate.
View the product page
HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B 12,000 BTU
DIRM4-12HP-WM / DIRM4-12HXPRO28-1Z · AHRI 216571373
Same NEEP certified values as the MIDEA28, SENVILLE AURA R454B and BOSCH MAX PERFORMANCE R-454B.
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.
Same test point at −30 °C, two very different answers
Each gauge fills up to the maximum capacity certified by NEEP at the chosen temperature. The yellow tick marks the rated capacity when it is published. Start at −30 °C, then work your way up.
Below −15 °C: every published number, at its exact temperature
Both units are certified at −15 °C and at −30 °C: these two rows read side by side. In between, FUJITSU AIRSTAGE publishes its own tables; DIRECT AIR publishes no document for the R-454B series, and its cells show the range between its two certified points.
ORION XLTH+ 12,000 BTU: maximum heating capacity as a percentage of the model’s rated capacity, 12,000 BTU/h, with 21 °C indoors, according to FUJITSU AIRSTAGE brochure FG8154D (revision 4/2025). Vertical line: 100%.
Two refrigerants, same safety class
R-454B is a blend that contains R-32. Both are classified A2L under the ASHRAE 34 standard: low toxicity, low flammability. The global warming potential (GWP) below is the one from the IPCC’s 4th assessment report, the usual reference on spec sheets.
R-32
- Composition
- difluoromethane, pure substance
- ASHRAE 34 class
- A2L
- GWP (IPCC AR4)
- 675
ORION XLTH+, according to FUJITSU AIRSTAGE and the NEEP record.
R-454B
- Composition
- R-32 68.9% and R-1234yf 31.1% (by mass)
- ASHRAE 34 class
- A2L
- GWP (IPCC AR4)
- 466
HEAT XTREME PRO, according to the NEEP record.
GWP bars on the same scale (675 = the full bar). The refrigerant does not, on its own, change capacity or efficiency: the certified values are what measure them.
The HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B has certified twins
Several 12,000 BTU wall units carry the same NEEP certified values as the DIRECT AIR HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B. The indoor unit, the remote, the app and the warranty may differ from one name to another. The ORION XLTH+ has no known twin.
What each manufacturer names
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE brochure FG8154D (revision 4/2025) and, for DIRECT AIR, the only manufacturer statement found for the R-454B series: its NEEP record. An empty cell means the document does not say, not that the feature is missing.
ORION XLTH+: heating advertised down to −30 °C, “no shutoff device”; heated base pan (150 W according to NEEP).
HEAT XTREME PRO: 150 W heated pan according to NEEP: in heating, below 3 °C, after 25 minutes of operation, for 5 minutes.
ORION XLTH+: down to −10 °C outdoors.
HEAT XTREME PRO: not published by the manufacturer for the R-454B series.
ORION XLTH+: Economy, Energy Saving, Powerful, Minimum Heat, Occupancy.
HEAT XTREME PRO: not published by the manufacturer for the R-454B series.
ORION XLTH+: Built-in Wi-Fi, AIRSTAGE Mobile app; backlit remote included; optional UTY wall controls (UTY-TWRXZ4 kit).
HEAT XTREME PRO: AirGreen’s product page shows Wi-Fi; no manufacturer document consulted specifies it.
ORION XLTH+: automatic restart, automatic defrost.
HEAT XTREME PRO: not published by the manufacturer for the R-454B series.
ORION XLTH+: inverter compressor.
HEAT XTREME PRO: variable-speed compressor according to the NEEP record.
Sound, as published
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE publishes six fan speeds for the ORION XLTH+. DIRECT AIR publishes no sound level for the R-454B series in the documents consulted.
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 fan speed published by the manufacturer, from slowest to fastest.
Why this is not a ranking. Only one of the two brands publishes its values. A missing figure does not mean a unit is noisy: only that there is nothing to compare.
Indoor unit, in the room
Cooling, every published speed
Outdoor unit, outside
Highest published speed
With no figure published on the other side, these levels describe the ORION XLTH+ alone: they say nothing about how loud the HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B is.
What is published for installing each unit
ORION XLTH+ indoor unit to scale
Width × height × depth, 31 lb, according to brochure FG8154D and manual DR_AS242ES_04.
HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B indoor unit
Photo from AirGreen’s product page, not to scale: DIRECT AIR publishes no dimensions for the R-454B series in the documents consulted.
| Installation | ORION XLTH+ | HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum piping length | 66 ftMinimum 10 ft. | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Precharged length | 49 ft | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Maximum height difference | 49 ft | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Liquid – gas diameters | 1/4 – 3/8 in | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 32 5/16 × 28 3/16 × 12 3/8 in, 93 lb | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Indoor unit, weight | 31 lb | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Electrical protectionAccording to the manufacturer | 20 A breaker | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Heated base panManufacturer’s statement to NEEP | Yes, 150 W, depending on temperature and mode | Yes, 150 W, in heating below 3 °C |
| Dehumidification | 1.8 L/h | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Advertised heating / cooling range | −30 to 24 °C / −10 to 50 °C | Not published by the manufacturerThe coldest NEEP point is at −30 °C. |
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE: brochure FG8154D (revision 4/2025). DIRECT AIR: no spec sheet found for the DIRM4- numbers (R-454B series); a document for the twin MIDEA platform does not necessarily describe the same installation and is not used.
What people ask about these two wall units
Why can they be compared directly at −30 °C?
Because NEEP publishes both units' coldest point at the same temperature, −22 °F (−30 °C): 15,300 BTU/h maximum for the ORION XLTH+, 5,900 BTU/h for the HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B. That is rare: most pairs have their coldest points at different temperatures.
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE publishes 12,300 BTU/h at −30 °C. Which one is right?
The manufacturer’s technical manual and brochure give about 12,300 BTU/h at −22 °F; the NEEP record for AHRI certificate 216018256 gives 15,300 BTU/h, the value the manual associates with −15 °F. This page follows the certificate for comparisons and shows the manufacturer’s value next to it. Even at 12,300 BTU/h, the gap with the HEAT XTREME PRO’s 5,900 BTU/h remains large.
And at −8.3 °C?
The certified rated capacity of the HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B (12,000 BTU/h) is higher than the ORION XLTH+’s (9,600 BTU/h): it is the set point each manufacturer chose for the test. At maximum, at the same point, the values are 22,800 and 12,800 BTU/h.
The product page says “−35 °C”. Why not here?
That figure comes from the brochure of the older DIRECT AIR R-410A series. No manufacturer document supports it for the R-454B series (DIRM4-); this page does not repeat it.
MIDEA28, SENVILLE AURA, BOSCH MAX PERFORMANCE: what’s the difference?
These wall units have the same NEEP certified values as the 12,000 BTU HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B, each with its own AHRI certificate. The indoor unit, the remote, the app and the warranty may differ depending on the name.
Does R-454B change anything for me?
Both refrigerants are classified A2L. R-454B has a GWP of 466 versus 675 for R-32 (IPCC AR4). For capacity and efficiency, the certified values are what count, and they are on this page.
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 | ORION XLTH+ | HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | ||
| 35 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 3,100 / 12,000 / 17,300 | 3,800 / 12,000 / 13,500 |
| SEER2 | 31.5 | 25.4 |
| EER2 | 16.7 | 13.4 |
| Heating, same conditions | ||
| HSPF2 Region IV / V | 13.7 / 11.3 | 10.5 / 8.0 |
| 8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 4,500 / 15,300 / 27,300 | 3,800 / 12,000 / 16,000 |
| 8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 6.28 / 4.87 / 3.59 | 4.84 / 3.74 / 3.35 |
| −8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,900 / 9,600 / 22,800 | 5,300 / 12,000 / 12,800 |
| −8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 4.72 / 3.47 / 2.59 | 2.22 / 2.51 / 1.75 |
| −15 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,500 / 16,200 / 20,500 | 4,100 / 11,500 / 11,500 |
| −15 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 3.86 / 2.62 / 2.18 | 1.72 / 1.80 / 1.80 |
| Coldest point — same temperature, −30 °C | ||
| Test temperature | −30 °C (−22 °F) | −30 °C (−22 °F) |
| Capacity min. / max. | 1,900 / 15,300 BTU/h | 2,000 / 5,900 BTU/h |
| COP at maximum capacity | 1.76 | 1.25 |
| Certifications and refrigerant | ||
| ENERGY STAR / cold climate (NEEP) | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 216018256 · 384143 | 216571373 · 382480 |
| 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 measurement, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. Capacities and COPs at each point are not highlighted.
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, ORION XLTH+, DIRECT AIR and HEAT XTREME PRO 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? Write to us: every reported figure is checked again.