Home / Comparisons / 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pumps
SENVILLE AURA R454B and DURASTAR Sirius Heat R454B, figure by figure
Both AHRI certificates publish exactly the same maximum heating capacities, from 8.3 °C to −30 °C. The rest of the sheet is not quite the same: cooling efficiency, a few low-speed operating points, and units of different sizes. Here is every line, side by side.
AURA R454B, 12,000 BTU
AHRI 215735296
Same AHRI and NEEP certified values as: MIDEA MIDEA28 (AHRI 215471381), DIRECT AIR HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B (216571373) and BOSCH Climate 5000 MAX PERFORMANCE R-454B (215223282), in 12,000 BTU. Checked in NEEP on November 9, 2026.
See the product pageAHRI certificate values compared one by one: 27 identical, 14 different. All 12 full-power values are identical.
Sirius Heat R454B, 12,000 BTU
AHRI 215359252
Close relative of the family shown here: same certified maximum heating capacities, but different SEER2, EER2 and several low-speed points. So it is not the same certificate.
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.
Here, both certificates give the same HSPF2 Region V (8.0), so winter costs the same amount in this calculation. The difference comes only from cooling, where the SEER2 differs (25.4 and 24.0).
Two nearly identical sheets, laid one over the other
As in a comparison of two versions of a document, each published value is lined up with the other unit’s. Identical lines turn grey; lines that differ open up and show both values, with the difference highlighted.
Below −15 °C: every published value, none invented
For both certificates, NEEP publishes a point at −15 °C and a point at −30 °C, with exactly the same maximum capacities. In between, DURASTAR publishes a value at −25 °C in its submittal sheet; SENVILLE publishes none on its product page. Where a value is missing, the table shows the range between the two published values on either side.
What each manufacturer writes, feature by feature
Only what appears in each manufacturer’s documents. When a document does not mention a feature, that is stated as is: it does not mean the feature is absent, only that it is not published in that document.
AURAHeating down to −30 °C (−22 °F).
Sirius HeatLow-ambient heating down to −22 °F (−30 °C); “up to 100% heating capacity at 0 °F”, with no figure at that temperature.
SENVILLE, SENA-12HF product page · DURASTAR, submittal sheet V1.2_0325
AURAPTC heating cable and pan (“PTC Heat Belt and Pan”).
Sirius HeatBase pan heater included (“Included base pan heater”).
SENVILLE, product page · DURASTAR, submittal sheet
AURARefrigerant leak detection.
Sirius HeatDetection system for A2L refrigerant.
SENVILLE, product page · DURASTAR, submittal sheet
AURARemote control with built-in thermostat (“Follow Me”).
Sirius HeatWireless remote control with “Follow Me”.
SENVILLE, product page · DURASTAR, submittal sheet
AURAWi-Fi (iOS and Android), Alexa compatible.
Sirius HeatNot published in the submittal sheet consulted.
SENVILLE, product page · DURASTAR, submittal sheet V1.2_0325
AURANot published on the product page consulted.
Sirius HeatCompatible with the DRSTAT101 wired thermostat.
DURASTAR, submittal sheet and Sirius Heat brochure
AURASelf-cleaning mode, built-in dehumidification, vertical swing, self-diagnosis.
Sirius HeatTurbo, ECO, Active Clean and Sleep modes.
SENVILLE, product page · DURASTAR, submittal sheet
AURANot published on the product page consulted.
Sirius HeatAutomatic restart (“Auto restart”).
DURASTAR, submittal sheet
AURANot published on the product page consulted.
Sirius HeatFreeze protection at 46 °F (8 °C).
DURASTAR, submittal sheet
AURASilver-ion filter.
Sirius HeatNot published in the submittal sheet consulted.
SENVILLE, product page
AURANot published on the product page consulted.
Sirius Heat“Golden Fin” anti-corrosion coating on the indoor and outdoor coils.
DURASTAR, submittal sheet
Indoor unit sound, speed by speed
Each manufacturer publishes a sound level for each indoor fan speed. The points below show every one of those figures.
How to read these figures. A lower dB(A) means a quieter unit. Each point is a published speed; the band connects the lowest to the highest.
Why this is not a ranking. Neither SENVILLE nor DURASTAR states, in the documents consulted, the measurement distance or method. The speeds are not named the same way either: the lowest is “Low” at SENVILLE and “Silent” at DURASTAR. Each set of figures is therefore read on its own.
Indoor unit
dB(A) per each manufacturer, from lowest to highest
Measurements taken by each manufacturer using its own method, not stated: different method — not comparable. Outdoors, SENVILLE publishes 57 dB and DURASTAR 56 dB(A), a single value each.
Two units of different sizes
The certificates look alike; the cabinets do not. According to both manufacturers, the SENVILLE indoor unit is wider and deeper, and its outdoor unit heavier.
Indoor units, at the same scale
Width published by each manufacturer; manufacturer photos drawn to scale.
Is your wall wide enough?
Slide to set the free wall width above which the unit will be mounted.
Both manufacturers also require a clearance around the unit; see the installation guide provided with the quote.
Outdoor units, at the same scale
Width published by each manufacturer.
| Installation, per each manufacturer | SENVILLE AURA R454B | DURASTAR Sirius Heat R454B |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid – gas diameters | Not published by the manufacturer on the product page consulted | 1/4 – 3/8 inflare connections |
| Precharged length | 25 ft | 25 ft |
| Maximum piping length | Not published by the manufacturer on the product page consulted | 82 ftminimum 10 ft; 0.16 oz of refrigerant per foot beyond 25 ft |
| Maximum height difference | Not published by the manufacturer on the product page consulted | 49 ft |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 30.31 × 21.65 × 12.20 in, 82.67 lb | 31.69 × 21.81 × 13 in, 72.8 lb |
| Indoor unit, weight | 33.4 × 11.76 × 9.18 in, 24.25 lb | 31.56 × 11.63 × 7.88 in, 19 lb |
| Electrical protection and power supply | 208/230 V; minimum circuit ampacity 12 A, maximum fuse 15 A | 208/230 V; minimum circuit ampacity 15 A, recommended breaker 15 A |
| Dehumidification | 1.4 L/h | 1.4 L/h71 pints per day |
| Indoor airflow, maximum speed | 530 CFMTurbo speed | 383 CFMTurbo speed |
| Rated heating / cooling range | Heating down to −30 °C; low-ambient cooling down to −30 °Cfull range not published on the product page | −30 to 24 °C / −30 to 50 °C |
Sources: SENVILLE, SENA-12HF product page (senville.ca), consulted November 9, 2026; DURASTAR, submittal sheet DRAW12F2A / DRA1H12S2A, form V1.2_0325. Dimensions converted to decimal inches (31-9/16 in = 31.56 in).
What we get asked about these two units
Is this one and the same model sold under two names?
Nothing supports that claim. The two pairs have separate AHRI certificates (215735296 and 215359252). Their maximum heating capacities are identical at every published temperature, but the SEER2, the EER2 and several low-speed values differ, and the manufacturers publish different dimensions and weights for the indoor and outdoor units.
Why is the winter cost the same for both?
Because our estimate uses the certificate’s HSPF2 Region V, which is 8.0 for both. The summer cost differs a little, since the SEER2 is 25.4 for the AURA and 24.0 for the Sirius Heat.
At −30 °C, how much heat do they deliver?
According to the AHRI certificate published by NEEP: 5,900 BTU/h maximum for each, with a maximum COP of 1.25. The DURASTAR submittal sheet states 5,800 BTU/h for the Sirius Heat at this temperature; the certificate prevails in any direct comparison.
Is the SENVILLE AURA sold under other names?
Three 12,000 BTU pairs have exactly the same AHRI and NEEP certified values as the AURA R454B: MIDEA MIDEA28 (AHRI 215471381), DIRECT AIR HEAT XTREME PRO R-454B (216571373) and BOSCH Climate 5000 MAX PERFORMANCE R-454B (215223282), checked November 9, 2026. The Sirius Heat shares their maximum capacities, without the same low-speed values.
Which one is quieter indoors?
The documents do not allow us to say. SENVILLE publishes 24 to 47 dB and DURASTAR 20 to 40 dB(A), without stating the distance or the method, and with speeds that are not named the same way.
Do they have Wi-Fi?
SENVILLE advertises Wi-Fi (iOS and Android) and Alexa compatibility for the AURA. The DURASTAR submittal sheet consulted mentions a wireless remote control and compatibility with the DRSTAT101 wired thermostat, with no mention of Wi-Fi.
What about the warranty?
This page does not compare warranties. Each manufacturer’s warranty documents are provided with the quote.
The AHRI certificate values, as published
| Certified value (AHRI, via NEEP) | SENVILLE AURA R454B | DURASTAR Sirius Heat R454B |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal efficiency | ||
| SEER2 | 25.4 | 24.0 |
| EER2 | 13.4 | 13.2 |
| HSPF2 Region IV | 10.5 | 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. | 3,800 / 12,000 / 16,000 BTU/h | 3,800 / 12,000 / 16,000 BTU/h |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 4.84 / 3.74 / 3.35 | 4.84 / 3.63 / 3.35 |
| Heating at −8.3 °C (17 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max. | 5,300 / 12,000 / 12,800 BTU/h | 5,200 / 12,000 / 12,800 BTU/h |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 2.22 / 2.51 / 1.75 | 2.34 / 2.44 / 1.75 |
| Heating at −15 °C (5 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max. | 4,100 / 11,500 / 11,500 BTU/h | 4,000 / 11,500 / 11,500 BTU/h |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 1.72 / 1.80 / 1.80 | 1.80 / 1.80 / 1.80 |
| Coldest published point | ||
| Test temperature | −30 °C (−22 °F) | −30 °C (−22 °F) |
| Capacity min. and max. | 2,000 and 5,900 BTU/h | 2,000 and 5,900 BTU/h |
| COP min. and max. | 1.17 and 1.25 | 1.07 and 1.25 |
| Certificates | ||
| Refrigerant | R-454BGWP 466 (IPCC, AR4); class A2L (ASHRAE 34) | R-454BGWP 466 (IPCC, AR4); class A2L (ASHRAE 34) |
| ENERGY STAR and cold climate | Yes; cold climate: yesENERGY STAR directory, Nov. 9, 2026 | Yes; cold climate: yesENERGY STAR directory, Nov. 9, 2026 |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 215735296 · record 385685 | 215359252 · record 389518 |
“higher” marks the higher value of the same measure, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation.
Both are on the AirGreen website.
A question about either one, or about the installation in your home? Talk to our team.
Documents consulted
Data checked 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.
Trademarks. SENVILLE, AURA, DURASTAR and Sirius 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.