Home / Comparisons / 12,000 BTU wall heat pumps
TCL ULTIMATE 25 and GREE CROSSOVER R32, figure by figure
Two 12,000 BTU wall units, ENERGY STAR cold climate certified and offered by AirGreen, one using R-454B, the other R-32. At −30 °C, their certified maximum capacities are within 200 BTU/h of each other; higher up the thermometer and further down the spec sheet, they move apart. This page shows where.
ULTIMATE 25 12,000 BTU
H12SUH25XGE / H12SUH25XGC · AHRI 216506201
See the product pageOther names: no other known NEEP record with the same values.
CROSSOVER R32 12,000 BTU
GWH12AGCXD-D6DN***/I / GWH12AGCXD-D6DNA4D/O · AHRI 215402266
See the product pageSame NEEP certified values: GREE VIREO R32 (AHRI 214813257). Close relatives, same series: GREE CLIVIA R32, ENVO R32, KINGHOME CLIVIA R32.
What 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.
How this amount is calculated
- Heat to supply 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 heating around the clock, all winter. Heating degree-days (base 18 °C) and design temperature: Natural Resources Canada, HOT2000 climate data, Montréal Intl station. With fewer hours a 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 the recovery after a temperature setback.
- Electricity for heating. Heat pump: heat × 3.412 ÷ Region V HSPF2, 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 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: this is a maximum, since a variable-speed unit slows down once the room reaches the right temperature.
- Price. Hydro-Québec Rate D in force on 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. 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 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.
R-454B and R-32: their figures, and the 2025 and 2026 rules
The ULTIMATE 25 uses R-454B, the CROSSOVER R32 uses R-32. Both are class A2L under the ASHRAE 34 standard and have a global warming potential (GWP) below the limit of 700 set in the United States for new residential systems. R-410A, used before in most wall units, is shown as a reference.
Global warming potential
100-year GWP according to the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), the reference used by the regulations cited here.
A2L: the ASHRAE 34 safety class for refrigerants of low toxicity and mild flammability. R-410A is class A1. Both units on this page are designed for their own refrigerant; you cannot switch from one to the other.
What changed, date by date
- October 2023 · United States
The EPA adopts the “Technology Transitions” rule: a maximum GWP of 700 for new residential and light commercial air-conditioning and heat pump systems, wall units included.
U.S. EPA, 40 CFR 84.54 - December 2023 · United States
Interim rule: one more year, until January 1, 2026, to install systems built from components manufactured or imported before 2025.
U.S. EPA, interim rule of December 26, 2023 - January 1, 2025 · Canada
The Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations set a maximum GWP of 750 for chillers manufactured or imported. They do not cover residential wall units.
SOR/2016-137, schedule of products - January 1, 2025 · United States
Components with a GWP of 700 or more manufactured or imported from this date can no longer be used to assemble a new system.
U.S. EPA, Technology Transitions - July 27, 2026 · United States
An EPA final rule removes the installation deadline for systems built from eligible components. New systems that are not eligible must use a refrigerant with a GWP below 700.
U.S. EPA, 91 FR 31284, published May 26, 2026 - In Québec
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the only measures limiting the GWP of air-conditioning equipment apply to chillers.
MELCCFP, frequently asked questions on halocarbons (in French)
This section describes rules and figures; it does not compare the environmental effect of the two refrigerants.
At −30 °C, 200 BTU/h apart; at −15 °C, 1,000
NEEP certifies both units at −15 °C and at −30 °C: these rows compare directly. TCL also publishes, outside the certificate, a maximum capacity at −25 °C; GREE publishes none between −15 and −30 °C. Elsewhere, the table gives the range between the two published points on either side of the temperature.
What TCL and GREE write in their brochures
TCL Ultimate 25 Series brochure (TCL_ULT_050525_1) and GREE Canada CROSSOVER R32 brochure (document no. 032025). Each line repeats what the manufacturer writes.
ULTIMATE 25: wireless remote, Wi-Fi and voice control; smart control compatible with Google Home and Alexa.
CROSSOVER R32: Wi-Fi connectivity; adjustable LED display.
ULTIMATE 25: “Gentle Breeze”; three published airflows, from 323 to 470 CFM.
CROSSOVER R32: multi-speed fan; precise airflow control.
ULTIMATE 25: deep self-cleaning with sterilization, through condensation, freezing, defrost and drying cycles.
CROSSOVER R32: washable dust filters; fin with anti-corrosion coating.
ULTIMATE 25: “Extreme low temperature heating”; capacities published at −15, −25 and −30 °C.
CROSSOVER R32: heating stated down to −30 °C and cooling down to −29 °C.
ULTIMATE 25: inverter compressor (“Compressor Type: Inverter”).
CROSSOVER R32: “G10 Inverter” technology; low-voltage start-up.
ULTIMATE 25: the brochure details no modes beyond the gentle breeze and self-cleaning.
CROSSOVER R32: the brochure details no modes; it presents the series as compatible with several types of indoor units.
A feature missing from a brochure is not necessarily missing from the unit: the document simply does not mention it. Each unit’s user guide, provided with the quote, is more complete.
Two limits from TCL, eight levels from GREE
TCL publishes two sound pressure limits for the ULTIMATE 25 indoor unit. GREE Canada publishes eight for the CROSSOVER R32, with no speed names.
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 distance or the measurement conditions. The lowest of GREE’s eight levels does not necessarily match TCL’s minimum: different method — not comparable.
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: TCL Ultimate 25 Series brochure (TCL_ULT_050525_1); GREE Canada CROSSOVER R32 brochure (032025, “sound pressure level”).
Almost four inches of width and 15 feet of piping apart
Is your wall wide enough?
Published widths: 36 1/4 in (TCL, TCL_ULT_050525_1) and 32 1/2 in (GREE Canada, 032025). The side clearances required by each installation manual come on top; the installer confirms them on site.
Piping length
TCL: 25 ft precharged, then 0.11 oz/ft, from 10 to 50 ft. GREE: 65.6 ft maximum (032025); 24.6 ft precharged and 0.2 oz/ft beyond according to the English GREE CLIVIA R32 brochure, which covers the same outdoor unit GWH12AGCXD-D6DNA4D/O.
Indoor units to scale
Same scale for both photos. The ULTIMATE 25 is 3 3/4 in wider; the depths are almost equal (7 11/16 and 7 3/4 in).
| Installation | ULTIMATE 25 | CROSSOVER R32 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum piping length | 50 ftMinimum 10 ft, according to TCL. | 65.6 ft |
| Precharged length | 25 ft | 24.6 ftGREE CLIVIA R32 brochure (English), same outdoor unit. |
| Additional charge beyond the precharged length | 0.11 oz/ft | 0.2 oz/ftSame source. |
| Maximum height difference | 33 ft | 39.4 ft |
| Liquid – gas diameters | 1/4 – 3/8 in | 1/4 – 1/2 in |
| Outdoor unit W × H × D, weight | 34 × 23 11/16 × 13 3/4 in, 69.4 lb | 31 37/64 × 21 27/32 × 13 25/32 in, 67.3 lb |
| Indoor unit W × H × D, weight | 36 1/4 × 12 1/16 × 7 11/16 in, 23.1 lb | 32 1/2 × 11 9/16 × 7 3/4 in, 20.9 lb |
| Electrical protectionAccording to the manufacturer | Breaker max. 20 A (MCA 12 A) | MOP 15 A (MCA 10 A) |
| Dehumidification | Not published by the manufacturer. | Not published by the manufacturer. |
| Refrigerant and factory charge | R-454B, 35.27 oz | R-32, 28.2 oz |
| Stated heating / cooling range | −30 to 30 °C / −15 to 55 °C | −30 to 30 °C / −29 to 50 °C |
Outdoor unit clearances: GREE gives them in the user manual for its R32 outdoor units (X40270A_2, figure p. 8); TCL in the unit’s installation manual. Neither brochure gives them; the installer measures them on site.
What people ask us about the ULTIMATE 25 and the CROSSOVER R32
R-454B or R-32: is either one banned in Québec?
No. Both have a GWP below 700, the US limit for new residential systems. In Canada, the federal regulation sets a limit of 750 for chillers, not for residential wall units; Québec’s Ministry of the Environment says the same for its own measures.
At −30 °C, which one heats more?
Almost even: NEEP certifies a maximum of 7,100 BTU/h for the ULTIMATE 25 and 7,300 for the CROSSOVER R32, at the same temperature. The COP at that output is 1.22 and 1.51.
And at −15 °C or −8.3 °C?
The ULTIMATE 25 is certified for more maximum heat: 12,000 versus 11,000 BTU/h at −15 °C, 15,300 versus 12,000 at −8.3 °C. The COP at full capacity is 1.80 and 1.95 at −15 °C.
Why does winter cost less with the ULTIMATE 25 in the estimate?
Because its Region V HSPF2, the one our calculation uses for Montréal, is 9.0 versus 8.0. It is an estimate under identical conditions, not a bill.
Does the CROSSOVER R32 have other names?
At 12,000 BTU, the NEEP record of the GREE VIREO R32 carries the same certified values. The GREE CLIVIA R32 shares the same outdoor unit, with a different COP at −8.3 °C. The indoor unit, features and documents differ from one name to the next.
Which one is quieter?
TCL publishes 32 to 46 dB(A) of sound pressure for the ULTIMATE 25, GREE Canada 20 to 43 dB(A) for the CROSSOVER R32. With no distance or conditions published, these figures place each unit; they do not rank them.
Are they eligible for grants?
Eligibility depends on the official list in force on the date of purchase. This page promises no amount; the current list is checked at the time of the quote.
AHRI certificates 216506201 and 215402266, line by line
| Certified value | ULTIMATE 25 | CROSSOVER R32 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | ||
| Rated capacity at 35 °C | 12,000 BTU/h | 12,000 BTU/h |
| SEER2 | 25.0 | 24.5 |
| EER2 | 14.0 | 13.0 |
| Heating, same conditions | ||
| HSPF2 Region IV | 10.5 | 9.5 |
| HSPF2 Region V | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| 8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 3,200 / 12,000 / 18,400 | 3,070 / 12,000 / 14,600 |
| 8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 4.08 / 4.00 / 2.84 | 5.62 / 3.78 / 3.72 |
| −8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 6,000 / 12,000 / 15,300 | 2,700 / 12,000 / 12,000 |
| −8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 3.20 / 3.01 / 2.04 | 3.04 / 2.14 / 2.06 |
| −15 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h | 6,300 / 12,000 / 12,000 | 2,600 / 11,000 / 11,000 |
| −15 °C: COP min. / rated / max. | 1.79 / 1.80 / 1.80 | 3.17 / 1.95 / 1.95 |
| −30 °C (−22 °F): same temperature for both | ||
| −30 °C: capacity min. / max.BTU/h | 5,000 / 7,100 | 2,000 / 7,300 |
| −30 °C: COP min. / max. | 1.22 / 1.22 | 2.79 / 1.51 |
| Listings and refrigerant | ||
| ENERGY STAR / cold climate (NEEP) | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| ENERGY STAR directory, markets listed | United States, Canada | United States |
| AHRI certificate · NEEP record | 216506201 · 382523 | 215402266 · 389378 |
| RefrigerantGWP according to the IPCC (AR4); ASHRAE 34 class | R-454B · GWP 466 · A2L | R-32 · GWP 675 · A2L |
higher marks the higher value of the same measure, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. Capacities and COPs by point are not highlighted: the order changes depending on the point read.
The TCL ULTIMATE 25 and the GREE CROSSOVER R32 are both on the AirGreen website.
To choose between the ULTIMATE 25 and the CROSSOVER R32, 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 the ULTIMATE 25 and CROSSOVER R32 figures come from
Data verified November 9, 2026. Performance: AHRI certificates and the NEEP database. Dimensions, sound, piping and features: according to the manufacturer. Regulations: official texts and the sources listed, as of the date consulted. When a source contradicts the AHRI certificate, the certificate prevails.
Trademarks. TCL, ULTIMATE 25, GREE and CROSSOVER 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: every reported figure is checked again.