Mitsubishi Ducted Electric Cooling and Heating Systems Reviewed: Pros, Cons, Top Picks

This review of ducted Mitsubishi electric cooling and heating systems, also called heat pumps, will familiarize you with these newer products from the world’s ductless HVAC leader. You’ll find detailed information about product performance. You can also read on top picks and Mitsubishi electric cooling and heating system pros and cons. These ducted heat pump systems compete with conventional split system heat pumps. By comparison, you can read about Trane heat pumps, Goodman heat pumps and Rheem heat pumps.

Mitsubishi is a global manufacturer of electronics, appliances and HVAC equipment. The brand, founded in 1921, has become a powerhouse with headquarters in Tokyo. It also has major operations in countries throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating Ducted System Overview

Mitsubishi began making light-commercial ducted heat pumps in 2000 and residential ducted systems in 2010. Ducted Mitsubishi electric cooling and heating systems includes these major components:

• An MXZ Series outdoor unit – the condensing unit – that feeds EITHER;
• A large multi-position air handler (indoor unit), M Series for residential and P Series for light-commercial, for connection to existing ductwork;
• SEZ Series and PEAD Series ducted indoor units that serve a single room or zone – used in new construction, additions and space conversions.

All ducted components are manufactured in a good range of capacities/sizes to make it easy to customize a Mitsubishi electric cooling and heating system to your specific needs.

Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating Technical Specifications

The Mitsubishi ducted system specifications are listed by component.

MXZ Mitsubishi Outdoor Units for Ducted Systems

13 MXZ outdoor units range in capacity from 20,000 BTU cooling/22,000 BTU heating MXZ-2B20NA-1 up to the 60,000/66,000 BTU MXZ-8C60NA. These Mitsubishi electric cooling and heating units serve two to eight zones depending on their capacity.

Half the units are outfitted with Hyper Heat electric coil heating for warmer starts and auxiliary heating in very cold weather. The noise range is 49-58 decibels mainly depending on the size of the unit.

Note: SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) is a measurement of cooling efficiency. HSPF (heat seasonal performance factor) is the heating rating. The higher the numbers, the more efficiently the unit cools and heats.

Mitsubishi MXZ outdoor unit top pics for efficiency and performance:

• Small: MXZ-2C20NAHZ2, 20,000 BTU cooling/22,000 BTU heating; 17 SEER/9.8 HSPF; 2 zones; 54 decibels;
• Medium: MXZ-4C36NAHZ, 36,000/45,000 BTU; 19.1 SEER/11.3 HSPF; up to 4 zones; 49 decibels;
• Large: MXZ-8C60NA, 60,000/66,000 BTU; 17.4 SEER/10.5 HSPF; up to 8 zones; 58 decibels.

All three units are Energy Star rated and include Hyper Heat technology.

MVZ Residential and PVA Commercial Ducted Air Handlers

Capacity ranges from 12,000 to 42,000 BTU cooling. So these air handlers support MXZ outdoor units with matching capacity. The largest outdoor units cannot be used with these air handlers. But they must support multiple small ducted indoor units.

All large air handlers have 3-speed fans that start on low and get faster as the system heats up or cools. They slow again toward the end of the cycle. All types of controls – wall-wired, wall-wireless, handheld and smartphone/app – are supported.

Mitsubishi M-Series and P-Series air handler top pics for performance:

• Small: MVZ-A12AA4; 12,000 BTU cooling; 13,500 BTU heating; 27 decibels & PVA-12AA7; 12,000/14,000 BTU; 24 decibels;
• Medium: MVZ-A30AA4; 30,000 BTU cooling; 34,000 BTU heating; 32 decibels & PVA-A36AA7; 36,000/38,000 BTU; 30 decibels;
• Large: N/A.

Mitsubishi SEZ Series Horizontal Ducted Air Handlers

These indoor units are installed in the wall or ceiling. They have a fan, coil, refrigerant line connection and humidity drain line. Ductwork connects to the back of the unit for return air. Treated air is blown directly out the front of the unit into the space being heating or cooled.

Capacities range from 8,100 BTU cooling/10,900 BTU heating to 17,200/21,600 BTU in the SEZ series and 12,000/14,000 to 42,000/45,000 BTU in the PEAD series. So units are sized for one small room up to a large zone with an open floor plan. Ducted indoor Mitsubishi electric cooling and heating units have 3-speed fans and support all Mitsubishi control types including smartphones with apps.

Mitsubishi SEZ and PEAD ducted indoor unit top pics for efficiency and performance:

• Small: SEZ-KD12NA4R1.TH, 11,500 BTU cooling/13,600 BTU heating; 16 SEER/10 HSPF; Energy Star; 23 decibels & PEAD-A12AA7, 12,000/14,000 BTU; 21.1 SEER/10.2 HSPF; 28 decibels;
• Medium: SEZ-KD18NA4R1.TH, 17,200 BTU cooling/21,600 BTU heating; 17.5 SEER/10 HSPF; Energy Star; 30 decibels & PEAD-A24AA7, 24,000/26,000; 19.6 SEER/10.8 HSPF; 30 decibels;
• Large: PEAD-A36AA7, 36,000 BTU cooling/38,000 BTU heating; 19.1 SEER/9.9 HSPF; 33 decibels.

Ducted Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating Pros and Cons

Consider these advantages and disadvantage of Mitsubishi ducted systems as you compare them to Mitsubishi ductless systems and other brands of ducted systems.

Mitsubishi Ducted Electric Heating and Cooling Pros

• Mitsubishi quality and durability are outstanding;
• These are more affordable than ductless systems where ductwork already exists;
• Energy Star systems might qualify for credits and rebates where you live;
• The outdoor condensing units for these systems are much quieter than standard split system condensing units;
• Good system options are available for configuring an HVAC system tailored to your requirements.

Mitsubishi Ducted Electric Heating and Cooling Cons

• These systems are newer and not installed as often as traditional split systems. So service, repair and parts might be difficult to locate in your area;
• The SEV and PEAD room/zone ducted indoor units contain a fan. So they’re noisier than standard split systems;
• Zoned heating and cooling can produce hot/cold spots if the indoor units are not properly spaced;
• If ductwork travels through space that isn’t heated or cooled, it will result in energy loss;
• Heat pumps lose efficiency in sub-freezing weather, so aren’t suited to very cold climates.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating Ducted System

The first step is to decide whether a ducted heat pump system is best for your HVAC needs.

If you live in a northern climate with extreme winters, a standard split system with a gas furnace is a better choice than a heat pump system. However, in moderate and warm climates, a Mitsubishi electric cooling and heating system might an ideal system for replacement or new construction.

If you have existing ductwork or if you’re building a home or large addition, then a system with an outdoor unit and an M-Series or P-Series is your best choice. When retrofitting a system to fit space that isn’t ducted already, then either a small ducted system or a Mitsubishi ductless system makes more sense.

When it’s unclear which system type is right for your home or light-commercial setting, contact a Mitsubishi dealer in your area. The representative will answer your questions, explain your options and then design a system tailored to your heating and air conditioning needs.

Taking the Next Step

Mitsubishi ducted systems are relatively new and worth considering. Most homeowners are only familiar with this brand’s ductless HVAC.

So perhaps your friends would benefit if you passed this information along to them. We invite you to join the conversation with your comments and questions too!