Most Efficient Mini Splits: Cooling, Heating & Different Types

Mini splits are known to be efficient. However, there are hundreds of mini splits sold on the market. So, I compared more than 350 mini splits to find out which one is the most efficient with the highest SEER and HSPF ratings.

The most efficient mini split for both heating and cooling is the 9000 BTU Carrier Infinity mini split heat pump. It has the highest cooling efficiency at 42 SEER and the highest heating efficiency at 15 HSPF. The 9000 BTU Carrier Infinity is the most efficient mini split with the highest SEER rating.

Not everyone can get their hands on the most efficient mini split. Hence, I outlined the 10 most efficient mini splits based on the highest cooling and heating efficiency.

Overall Most Efficient Mini Splits

For people who need mini splits that have an energy efficiency balanced between heating and cooling, the following are the overall most efficient mini splits:

1. Carrier Infinity 9000 BTU 42 SEER 15 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
2. Gree Sapphire 9000 BTU 38 SEER 15 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
3. Fujitsu LZAS1 9000 BTU 33.1 SEER 14.2 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
4. Fujitsu LZAH1 9000 BTU 33.1 SEER 14 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
5. Mitsubishi MSZ-FS 6000 BTU 33.1 SEER 13.5 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
6. Carrier Infinity 12000 BTU 32 SEER 14 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
7. Gree Sapphire 12000 BTU 30.5 SEER 14 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
8. Mitsubishi MSZ-FS 9000 BTU 30.5 SEER 13.5 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
9. Fujitsu LZAS1 12000 BTU 29.4 SEER 14 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump
10. Fujitsu LZAH1 12000 BTU 29.4 SEER 13.8 HSPF Wall-Mounted Mini Split Heat Pump

The above mini splits are ranked based on the sum of their respective SEER and HSPF ratings. The following is information for people who have specific needs such as primarily used for cooling or heating.

Most Efficient Mini Splits for Cooling

Most people use mini splits for cooling. Hence, they want to save as much energy cost as they can with a mini split. For cooling, the energy efficiency of mini splits is based on the SEER value.

Most efficient wall-mounted ductless mini splits for cooling:

Tips: Copy the model no. and paste it on Google to find the exact product.

At the top of the list is the 9000 BTU Carrier Infinity. It has the highest SEER rating by far among all mini splits available on the market followed by the 9000 BTU Gree Sapphire with 38 SEER.

The 9000 BTU Fujitsu LZAS1 and the 9000 BTU Fujitsu LZAH1 alongside the 6000 BTU Mitsubishi MSZ-FS with 33.1 SEER of energy efficiency did not disappoint and made it on the list of the most efficient mini splits.

Next up is the 12000 BTU Carrier Infinity at 32 SEER. Usually, higher capacity models result in lower energy efficiency. However, the efficiency of the 12000 BTU Carrier Infinity is so high that it is more efficient than many other 9000 BTU mini splits.

Similarly, the 12000 BTU Gree Sapphire is also one of the most efficient mini splits with 30.5 SEER.

At the same time, the Mitsubishi MSZ-FS has made a comeback as well. The 9000 BTU model secured a place of being one of the most efficient mini splits with 30.5 SEER.

Last but not least, the two mini splits from Fujitsu once again showed up. With 29.4 SEER, the 12000 BTU Fujitsu LZAS1 12000 BTU and the 12000 BTU Fujitsu LZAH1 are also two of the most efficient mini splits for cooling.

Most Efficient Mini Splits for Heating

Many people are getting into mini splits in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint and get rid of gas furnaces. At very low ambient temperature, mini splits often struggle to keep their energy efficiency high. However, there are some mini splits that do extremely well in cold climates.

Buyers must be aware that many mini splits (especially those cheap ones) are not designed to perform well in cold weather conditions. Only specific types of mini splits do.

For heating, the energy efficiency of mini splits is based on the HSPF value.

Most efficient wall-mounted ductless mini splits for heating:

Tips: Copy the model no. and paste it on Google to find the exact product.

For heating, the 9000 BTU Gree Sapphire is on par with the 10000 BTU Carrier Infinity at 15 HSPF of energy efficiency followed by the 10900 BTU Panasonic ClimaPure at 14.5 HSPF.

The 12000 BTU Fujitsu LZAS1 and the 16000 BTU Fujitsu LZAS1 as well as the 12200 BTU Gree Sapphire, the 12000 BTU and 18000 BTU Carrier Infinity alongside the 12000 BTU Fujitsu LZAH1 are also some of the most efficient mini splits for heating at an energy efficiency rating of 14 HSPF.

Despite not being one of the most efficient mini splits for cooling, the 7400 BTU Carrier Performance is one of the most efficient mini splits for heating at 14 HSPF of energy efficiency.

Last but not least, the 16000 BTU Fujitsu LZAH1 made it to the list with 13.8 HSPF of heating efficiency.

Most Efficient Mini Splits for Low Ambient Heating

People living in cold climates want to use mini splits as they promise higher energy efficiency. However, for low ambient heating, the energy efficiency of mini splits needs to be assessed differently.

HSPF is a measure of the heating efficiency of mini splits by dividing the total BTU output by the total power input over a specific heating season. Across the heating season, the outdoor ambient temperature varies from medium to low.

Thus, for low ambient temperature applications, the COP of mini splits at 5°F better reflects the heating efficiency of mini splits working under prolonged low ambient temperature conditions.

Meanwhile, all mini splits lose a certain percentage of their heating capacity as the outdoor ambient temperature drops. Hence, with the COP at 5°F, comparing the heating capacity at 5°F will give more context to it.

Most efficient wall-mounted ductless mini splits for low ambient heating:

Tips: Copy the model no. and paste it on Google to find the exact product.

The most efficient mini splits for low ambient heating is the 16560 BTU Fujitsu LZAS1 at 2.31 COP. For every kW of power consumed, it produces 2.31 times the heating power.

Coming up close is the 11000 BTU Panasonic ClimaPure with 2.3 COP of heating efficiency followed by the 9690 BTU Gree Sapphire at 2.23 COP.

After that, the 16500 BTU Fujitsu LZAH1 and the 15390 BTU Fujitsu LZAS1 have similar heating efficiency at 5°F with 2.16 COP and 2.15 COP respectively.

The 12000 BTU Gree Sapphire also has a high energy efficiency for low ambient heating at 2.11 COP.

The 13800 BTU and 18000 BTU Carrier Infinity alongside the 15390 BTU Fujitsu LZAH1 have a heating efficiency at 5°F of 2 COP, placing them as three of the most efficient mini splits for low ambient heating.

Most Efficient Mini Splits with Ceiling Cassette Indoor Unit

Some people have the need to use the ceiling cassette type of indoor unit for certain rooms. Hence, following are the most efficient ceiling cassette mini splits based on the sum of their SEER and HSPF ratings:

Tips: Copy the model no. and paste it on Google to find the exact product.

Ceiling cassette mini splits are not as efficient as the default wall-mounted mini splits. The most efficient ceiling cassette mini split which is the 11100 BTU LG 4-WAY CASSETTE (2X2) is 30% less efficient in cooling and almost 31% less efficient in heating compared to the most efficient wall-mounted mini split which is the 9000 BTU Carrier Infinity.

Most Efficient Mini Splits with Floor Mounted Indoor Unit

A floor-mounted mini split is an option for people who don’t have a ceiling in their room or a high mount is not preferred. Following are the most efficient floor-mounted mini splits based on the sum of their SEER and HSPF ratings:

Tips: Copy the model no. and paste it on Google to find the exact product.

Floor-mounted mini splits are also not as efficient as wall-mounted mini splits. The most efficient floor-mounted mini split which is the 9000 BTU Mitsubishi MSZ-KJ is about 32% less efficient in cooling and about 13% less efficient in heating compared to the most efficient wall-mounted mini split which is the 9000 BTU Carrier Infinity.

Most Efficient Mini Splits with Ceiling Ducted Indoor Unit

Some people like to conceal their air conditioning units. Hence, ceiling ducted mini splits are their best choice. Following are the most efficient ceiling ducted mini splits based on the sum of their SEER and HSPF ratings:

Tips: Copy the model no. and paste it on Google to find the exact product.

Ceiling ducted mini splits have the poorest energy efficiency. The most efficient ceiling ducted mini split which is the 18000 BTU Mitsubishi SEZ-KD is nearly 48% less efficient in cooling and almost 13% less efficient in heating compared to the most efficient wall-mounted mini split which is the 9000 BTU Carrier Infinity.

Most Efficient Mini Splits with 115 Voltage

Mini splits that use 115V are convenient and some people want that. So, following are the most efficient mini splits with 115V based on the sum of their SEER and HSPF ratings:

Tips: Copy the model no. and paste it on Google to find the exact product.

Wall-mounted mini splits that are powered by 115V are much less efficient than those powered by 230V. The most efficient 115V mini split which is the 12000 BTU Carrier Performance is about 45% less efficient in cooling and about 23% less efficient in heating compared to the most efficient wall-mounted mini split which is the 9000 BTU Carrier Infinity.

Conclusion

Mini splits are known for their high energy efficiency. However, there are many mini splits available on the market from different brands with different models. A mini split with the highest SEER rating can be as efficient as 3 times the mini split with the lowest SEER rating and that makes a huge difference in terms of the monthly energy cost.

Among the different types of mini splits including wall-mounted, ceiling cassette, floor-mounted and ceiling ducted, the wall-mounted is by far the most efficient type of mini split. In addition, the special 115V mini splits are far less efficient than the standard 230V mini splits.

Therefore, to get the most out of a mini split, the 230V wall-mounted type is the best type of mini split combined with the highest SEER and HSPF ratings for the highest possible efficiency.

Nonetheless, a mini split with the highest energy efficiency does not necessarily means it is the one you should get. For recommendations, see below posts:

• 7 Best Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioners
• 11 Best Mini Splits for Heating

If you have anything to add (or ask) about this topic, leave a comment down below!