Home / Comparisons / 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pumps
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH and SAMSUNG WindFree MaxHeat R32, side by side
Two 12,000 BTU R-32 wall units, ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and offered by AirGreen. SAMSUNG highlights airflow through micro-holes in cooling; the certified values show two very different heating capacities in cold weather. This page presents both, each with its source.
FUJITSU AIRSTAGEORION XLTH 12,000 BTU
ASUH12KZAS / AOUH12KZAH1 · AHRI 214888802
See the product page
SAMSUNGWindFree MaxHeat R32 12,000 BTU
AR12DXDABWKN / AR12DXDACWKX · AHRI 215399291
See 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’s 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.
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.
Where the air goes in cooling, according to each manufacturer
Cross-section of a room, diagram. On the left, the louver airflow FUJITSU AIRSTAGE describes for the ORION XLTH. On the right, the WindFree MaxHeat: SAMSUNG describes a WindFree mode that, in cooling, closes the louver and spreads the air through thousands of micro-holes on the front panel. SAMSUNG does not publish the number of holes for this model.
Automatic vertical and manual horizontal louvers, six fan speeds, per the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE brochure. The airstream is directed by the louver.
In cold weather, the certified capacities drift apart
Maximum capacity certified by NEEP at each temperature, on the same scale. At −15 °C: 16,600 BTU/h for the ORION XLTH, 9,000 BTU/h for the WindFree MaxHeat. Dashed bar: at this temperature, no certified point for this unit; the band shows the range between its two neighbouring certified points, or the outline its last certified point, with its temperature. The manufacturers’ tables below −15 °C are in “Extreme cold”, further down.
Below −15 °C: every published number, at its exact temperature
NEEP certifies both units down to −15 °C. Lower, both manufacturers publish a capacity table at −5 °F (−20.6 °C), with 21.1 °C indoors: that is the only shared temperature below −15 °C. The two tables are not built the same way; the source of each figure is shown.
ORION XLTH: maximum heating capacity as a percentage of the 12,000 BTU/h rated capacity, with 21 °C indoors, per FUJITSU AIRSTAGE brochure FG8153C (revision 4/2025). Vertical line: 100%.
Over a season, in summer and in winter
| AHRI value | ORION XLTH | WindFree MaxHeat |
|---|---|---|
| SEER2Cooling, whole season | 30.5 | 24.0 |
| EER2Cooling at 35 °C outside | 16.0 | 14.1 |
| HSPF2 Region IV | 12.7 | 10.5 |
| HSPF2 Region VColder climate | 10.1 | 8.5 |
| Rated COP at −15 °CAt 16,600 and 9,000 BTU/h | 2.16 | 2.09 |
At 8.3 °C and rated capacity (16,000 and 12,000 BTU/h), the COPs are 4.64 and 4.34. The certificates prevail over any other source.
AIRSTAGE Mobile on one side, SmartThings on the other
Both have built-in Wi-Fi and an included wireless remote control, according to their manufacturers. Only the features written in the documents are listed.
ORION XLTH
- AIRSTAGE Mobile app
- Backlit wireless remote control, included
- Optional: KAGAMI display, wired controls, UTY-TTRXZ1 24 V thermostat interface, BACnet/Modbus gateway, input-output board
- Powerful, Economy, Energy Saving, Minimum Heat, Occupancy modes
WindFree MaxHeat
- SmartThings app
- Wireless remote control rechargeable by solar cell or USB-C, included
- Optional: wired controls, MIM-B14U accessory for backup heating
- AI Auto (Wi-Fi required), AI Energy, Eco, quiet mode, Good’sleep, Auto Clean, built-in humidity sensor
The sound of each, according to its manufacturer
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE publishes six speeds for the ORION XLTH. SAMSUNG publishes the lowest speed (“Silent”) and the highest (“High”) of the WindFree MaxHeat. Both give a sound pressure in dB(A).
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 fan speed published by the manufacturer, from the slowest to the fastest.
Why this is not a ranking. Both measure in an anechoic chamber, each under its own conditions; SAMSUNG does not publish the measurement distance. A gap of a few dB(A) can come from the measurement itself.
Indoor unit, in the room
Cooling, every published speed
Outdoor unit, outside
Highest published speed
Measurements taken by each manufacturer using its own method: read them separately, not as a ranking.
Sources: FUJITSU AIRSTAGE brochure FG8153C and technical manual DR_AS233ES; SAMSUNG submittal sheet 10072024A and SAMSUNG RAC R32 Technical Data Book (version 1.2), which specifies the anechoic chamber.
Published dimensions and limits
Photos scaled to the published width.
| Installation | ORION XLTH | WindFree MaxHeat |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum piping length | 82 ft | 66 ft |
| Precharged length | 49 ft | 24.6 ft |
| Maximum height difference | 66 ft | 49 ft |
| Liquid – gas diameters | 1/4 – 3/8 in | 1/4 – 3/8 in |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 31 7/16 × 24 7/8 × 11 7/16 in, 86 lb | 31 1/8 × 21 9/16 × 11 1/4 in, 71 lb |
| Electrical protectionPer the manufacturer | 15 A breaker | Breaker max. 20 A (MCA 12 A) |
| Heated outdoor base pan | Yes | Yes, standard |
| Outdoor unit clearances | 4 in behind, 4 in on one side, 10 in on the other, 24 in in frontManual 9300793025-01, § 3.2.1 | From 5.9 to 78.7 in depending on the side; at least 27.5 in in front of the air outletSAMSUNG installation manual DB68-12966A-01, figure 3; the side for each value is read on the figure. |
| Compressor | Inverter (type not stated) | Twin rotary BLDC, inverter |
| Rated heating / cooling range | −26 to 24 °C / −10 to 50 °C | −30 to 24 °C / −18 to 46 °C |
Before choosing
What is WindFree mode, according to SAMSUNG?
According to the SAMSUNG submittal sheet, in cooling the unit closes its louver and spreads the air into the room through thousands of micro-holes on its front panel, to avoid cold drafts on the occupants. SAMSUNG publishes no measurement of this effect; the number of holes is not stated for this model.
Does WindFree mode work in heating?
The sheet describes it in cooling mode. It does not say it applies to heating.
Which one heats more at −15 °C?
According to NEEP, 16,600 BTU/h maximum for the ORION XLTH and 9,000 BTU/h for the WindFree MaxHeat. This is the lowest temperature at which both are measured under the same conditions.
Why can’t the coldest points be compared?
NEEP measures the ORION XLTH at −26.1 °C (12,200 BTU/h maximum) and the WindFree MaxHeat at −30 °C (6,800 BTU/h). These are two different temperatures. The only shared temperature below −15 °C is −20.6 °C, in both manufacturers’ tables: 14,920 BTU/h for the ORION XLTH and 12,300 BTU/h for the WindFree MaxHeat, with different methods (see “Extreme cold”).
Which one is quieter?
Both publish a sound pressure measured in an anechoic chamber: 23 to 43 dB(A) in cooling for the ORION XLTH, 22 to 39 dB(A) for the WindFree MaxHeat (“Silent” and “High” speeds). Each manufacturer measures under its own conditions, and SAMSUNG does not publish its measurement distance. These figures are not enough to rank them.
Are they eligible for rebates?
Eligibility depends on the official list in force on the date of purchase. This page promises no amount.
All AHRI and NEEP values
| Certified value | ORION XLTH | WindFree MaxHeat |
|---|---|---|
| Rated capacity at 35 °C | 12,000 BTU/h | 12,000 BTU/h |
| 8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 3,500 / 16,000 / 23,600 | 2,600 / 12,000 / 15,500 |
| 8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 5.13 / 4.64 / 3.07 | 4.76 / 4.34 / 3.36 |
| −8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 2,200 / 10,000 / 18,700 | 1,600 / 10,600 / 10,600 |
| −8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 3.39 / 3.45 / 2.44 | 3.61 / 2.82 / 2.27 |
| −15 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 1,950 / 16,600 / 16,600 | 2,400 / 9,000 / 9,000 |
| −15 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 3.36 / 2.16 / 2.16 | 2.93 / 2.09 / 2.09 |
| Coldest point — different temperatures, not highlighted | ||
| Test temperature | −26.1 °C (−15 °F) | −30 °C (−22 °F) |
| Capacity min. / max. | 1,400 / 12,200 BTU/h | 1,200 / 6,800 BTU/h |
| COP at maximum capacity | 1.81 | 1.73 |
| Listings and refrigerant | ||
| ENERGY STAR / cold climate (NEEP) | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| ENERGY STAR directory, markets listed | United States, Canada | United States, Canada |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 214888802 · 392122 | 215399291 · 389387 |
| RefrigerantGWP per the IPCC (AR4); ASHRAE 34 class | R-32 · GWP 675 · A2L | R-32 · GWP 675 · A2L |
SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2: see the Efficiency section. Capacities and COP by point are not highlighted: the order changes with the point you read.
Both are on the AirGreen website.
To choose for your room, talk it over with our team: bring the room’s dimensions, its sun exposure and your current heating.
Where each figure comes from
Data verified November 9, 2026. Performance: AHRI certificates and NEEP database. Dimensions, sound, piping and features: per the manufacturer. When a source contradicts the AHRI certificate, the certificate prevails. The airflow diagrams illustrate the manufacturers’ descriptions; they are not measurements.
Trademarks. FUJITSU AIRSTAGE, ORION XLTH, SAMSUNG, WindFree and Max Heat 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.