Home / Comparisons / 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pumps
SHARP CU and SHARP CHU R32, 12,000 BTU: the extra heat, degree by degree
Same brand, same R32 refrigerant, same outdoor unit size, same HSPF2. The difference shows in maximum heat: at every published temperature, the CHU delivers more than the CU, and it heats down to −30 °C. This page measures that gap, decodes the model names and shows how much wall each one takes up.
CU R32 series, 12,000 BTU
AHRI 217512740
Per SHARP: heating from −27 to 24 °C; two-direction automatic louvers.
See the product pageBTU/h more for the CHU at −15 °C, according to both AHRI certificates.
CHU R32 series, 12,000 BTU
AHRI 217512736
Per SHARP: heating from −30 to 24 °C; presence sensor, Spot Air and four-direction louvers.
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.
Both certificates give the same HSPF2 Region V (9.0), so winter costs the same amount in this calculation. The difference comes from cooling, where the SEER2 is 22.0 for the CU and 25.0 for the CHU. This calculation covers a 12,000 BTU/h zone; it does not take into account the maximum heat each unit can deliver, which is the subject of the next section.
From 8.3 °C to −30 °C, the gap in maximum heat between the CU and the CHU
The two curves connect the maximum heating capacity published for each series, from the AHRI certificate (circles) or the SHARP sheet’s heating table (diamonds). The red band between them is the extra heat the CHU delivers. Slide to read the gap at each published temperature.
Maximum capacities are measured under test conditions, at a fixed outdoor temperature. Between two published points, the line only shows the order of magnitude: nothing is published between them.
AY-XPC12CU or AY-XP12CHU: what SHARP’s documents say about each part of the name
Tap a part of a model number. We state only what the SHARP sheet (January 2026) and the AHRI certificates allow us to say; when SHARP does not define a letter, that is stated as is.
Below −15 °C: every published value, none invented
The certificates publish a point at −27.2 °C for the CU and at −30 °C for the CHU. In between, the SHARP sheet gives a heating table at −20, −25 and −27 °C. SHARP states that the AE-X12CU outdoor unit does not operate below −17 °F (−27 °C).
What the SHARP sheet assigns to each series
A single SHARP sheet describes both series. Most features are shared; three concern air distribution and are listed only for the CHU.
CUNot offered on the CU, per the sheet.
CHU“Motion Sensor”.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet, January 2026
CUNot offered on the CU, per the sheet.
CHU“Spot Air”.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CUTwo directions.
CHUFour directions.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CUYes, both.
CHUYes, both.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CUYes.
CHUYes.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CU50 °F (10 °C) function.
CHU50 °F (10 °C) function.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CUYes, both.
CHUYes, both.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CU“OD Silent”.
CHU“OD Silent”.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CU“Hot Gas Pipe”.
CHU“Hot Gas Pipe”.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CUYes; 24 h timers and 1, 2, 3 or 5 h.
CHUYes; 24 h timers and 1, 2, 3 or 5 h.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet
CUNot listed among the 12,000 BTU model’s features.
CHUNot listed among the 12,000 BTU model’s features.
SHARP, CHU / CU sheet: the SHARP AIR app is described there in general terms
Indoor unit sound in heating, speed by speed
The SHARP sheet publishes, in a single table, the sound level of each series at five fan speeds, in heating and in cooling. Here are the heating values, from the lowest speed to the highest.
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.
What the sheet does not say. The measurement distance and method are not stated, and the speeds are not named. Both series do, however, appear in the same table from the same manufacturer.
Indoor unit, heating
dB per the SHARP sheet, from the lowest speed to the highest
Method not stated by SHARP: different method — not comparable with other brands. Outdoors, the sheet gives 50 dB in heating and 49 dB in cooling for both outdoor units.
Same outdoor unit size, wall units of different widths
According to SHARP, both outdoor units have the same dimensions. The CHU’s wall unit is 173 mm wider, taller and heavier. Slide to set your wall’s free width.
Manufacturers also require a clearance around the unit; see the installation guide provided with the quote. Wall units drawn from the dimensions published by SHARP.
| Installation, per SHARP | SHARP CU R32 | SHARP CHU R32 |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor unit W × H × D, weight | 879 × 289 × 229 mm, 10 kg34-39/64 × 11-3/8 × 9-1/64 in, 22 lb | 1,052 × 316 × 249 mm, 14 kg41-27/64 × 12-7/16 × 9-51/64 in, 31 lb |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 780 × 540 × 269 mm, 30 kg | 780 × 540 × 269 mm, 30 kg |
| Liquid – gas diameters | 1/4 – 3/8 in | 1/4 – 3/8 in |
| Piping length | Standard 3 to 7.6 m; maximum 20 m10 to 25 ft; 66 ft; 15 g of refrigerant per added metre | Standard 3 to 7.6 m; maximum 20 m10 to 25 ft; 66 ft; 15 g of refrigerant per added metre |
| Maximum height difference | 10 m (33 ft) | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Refrigerant and charge | R32, 940 g (33.2 oz) | R32, 1,020 g (36 oz) |
| Electrical protection | 208/230 V; maximum fuse 15 A | 208/230 V; maximum fuse 20 A |
| Indoor airflow, maximum speed | 438 CFMin heating | 636 CFMin heating |
| Rated heating / cooling range | −27 to 24 °C / −10 to 46 °C | −30 to 24 °C / −10 to 46 °C |
Source: SHARP, “CHU / CU” sheet, version MNSPLT-CHUCU 1.1.1, in effect January 2026 (in English), consulted November 9, 2026.
What we get asked about these two SHARP units
Why is the winter estimate the same?
Because our calculation uses the certificate’s HSPF2 Region V, which is 9.0 for both. Summer differs a little: SEER2 of 22.0 for the CU and 25.0 for the CHU.
How much more heat for the CHU?
According to the AHRI certificates, the CHU’s maximum capacity exceeds the CU’s by 3,850 BTU/h at 8.3 °C, 3,900 BTU/h at −8.3 °C and 3,300 BTU/h at −15 °C. According to the SHARP sheet’s table, the gap is 3,100 BTU/h at −20 °C, 2,600 BTU/h at −25 °C and 3,200 BTU/h at −27 °C.
What does the CU do below −27 °C?
SHARP states that the AE-X12CU outdoor unit does not operate below −17 °F (−27 °C). Its certificate publishes 8,000 BTU/h maximum at −27.2 °C. The CHU is rated down to −30 °C, with 9,700 BTU/h maximum according to its certificate.
What do “CU” and “CHU” mean?
The SHARP sheet does not define these letters. It uses them as series names, and reserves the presence sensor and “Spot Air” airflow for the CHU.
Which one is quieter indoors?
In heating, the sheet gives 23 to 43 dB for the CU and 22 to 44 dB for the CHU, without stating the distance or the measurement method. The published differences are one decibel at most at each speed.
Do they have Wi-Fi?
The SHARP sheet consulted describes the SHARP AIR app, but does not list Wi-Fi among the features of the 12,000 BTU models. We can check this with the distributor before you buy.
What about the warranty?
This page does not compare warranties. The manufacturer’s warranty documents are provided with the quote.
The AHRI certificate values, as published
| Certified value (AHRI, via NEEP) | SHARP CU R32 | SHARP CHU R32 |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal efficiency | ||
| SEER2 | 22.0 | 25.0 |
| EER2 | 12.5 | 16.0 |
| HSPF2 Region IV | 11.0 | 11.0 |
| HSPF2 Region V | 9.0 | 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. | 3,200 / 14,000 / 19,000 BTU/h | 3,100 / 16,000 / 22,850 BTU/h |
| Maximum capacity | 19,000 BTU/h | 22,850 BTU/h |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 6.25 / 3.98 / 3.09 | 5.68 / 4.26 / 3.17 |
| Heating at −8.3 °C (17 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max. | 3,800 / 15,000 / 15,000 BTU/h | 5,000 / 18,900 / 18,900 BTU/h |
| Maximum capacity | 15,000 BTU/h | 18,900 BTU/h |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 3.48 / 2.44 / 2.44 | 2.93 / 2.22 / 2.22 |
| Heating at −15 °C (5 °F) | ||
| Capacity min. / rated / max. | 2,950 / 12,700 / 12,700 BTU/h | 3,850 / 16,000 / 16,000 BTU/h |
| Maximum capacity | 12,700 BTU/h | 16,000 BTU/h |
| COP min. / rated / max. | 2.88 / 2.10 / 2.10 | 2.35 / 2.10 / 2.10 |
| Coldest published point | ||
| Test temperature | −27.2 °C (−17 °F) | −30 °C (−22 °F) |
| Capacity min. and max. | 1,500 and 8,000 BTU/h | 1,350 and 9,700 BTU/h |
| COP min. and max. | 1.69 and 1.78 | 1.07 and 1.80 |
| Certificates | ||
| Certificate: indoor and outdoor units | AY-XPC12CU and AE-X12CU | AY-XP12CHU and AE-X12CHU |
| Refrigerant | R32GWP 675 (IPCC, AR4); class A2L (ASHRAE 34) | R32GWP 675 (IPCC, AR4); class A2L (ASHRAE 34) |
| ENERGY STAR and cold climate | Yes; cold climate: yesper NEEP, Nov. 9, 2026 | Yes; cold climate: yesper NEEP, Nov. 9, 2026 |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 217512740 · record 507382 | 217512736 · record 507383 |
“higher” marks the higher value of the same measure, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. The coldest published points are not at the same temperature: they cannot be compared with each other.
Both SHARP units 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. Heating table below −15 °C, dimensions, sound, piping and features: per the manufacturer. When a source contradicts the AHRI certificate, the certificate prevails.
Trademarks. SHARP is a trademark of its owner. Logos are used only to identify the products compared. AirGreen is a dealer for the brand; this page is not produced, sponsored or endorsed by the manufacturer.
Photos: AirGreen and manufacturer, for identification. Wall units in the Installation section: diagrams drawn from the published dimensions.
Does a figure look wrong to you? Write to us : any reported value is checked again.