The maker's photo for this series, not this exact size; the outdoor unit grows with capacity

Fujitsu General · Single-Zone

Fujitsu Airstage Altair 500 12,000 BTU

ASUH12KPAS / AOUH12KPAS1

~$1,687approximate retailer price at last check, equipment only

BTU/h: 12k
Volts: 208/230
Zones: 1
SEER2: 24
HSPF2: 10.5
Heats to: 5°F
Refrig.: R-32
Covers: 480 ft²
Wi-Fi: Add-on

Best forMild- and mixed-climate bedrooms where a brand-name pro-install system is wanted at a lower price.

Overview

The Altair 500 is Fujitsu's mid-tier wall line, below the cold-climate Orion XLTH, and it is the cheapest way to get a Fujitsu head and condenser. The 12,000 BTU system rates 24 SEER2 and 10.5 HSPF2 and lists at about $1,690. It is ENERGY STAR and AHRI certified per the retailer listing. The tradeoff against the XLTH is cold-weather performance: the published heating floor is 5°F, so it is a milder-climate or shoulder-season heat pump, not a primary heat source in a hard winter. It competes with the LG Standard and Bosch Climate 5000 on price, and with Daikin Entra, where Fujitsu has the higher published efficiency.

About $1,700 for a Fujitsu 12k
Same warranty ladder as the XLTH line

Cold-weather output

At 5°F it still makes 61% of its rated heat, according to the certified NEEP listing for this pairing. Fujitsu General rates it to keep running down to 5°F.

COP at 5°F: 2.29
Refrigerant: R-32
AHRI cert.: 215212610
ENERGY STAR cold climate: No

Pairing: AOUH12KPAS1 with ASUH12KPAS. Checked October 8, 2026 on NEEP's ccASHP list; a different head or condenser posts different numbers.

Strengths and catches

Strengths

+24 SEER2 at about $1,700 is good value for the brand
+ENERGY STAR listed per retailer
+Same Fujitsu warranty ladder as the XLTH line

Catches

−Heating floor of 5°F is not for cold-climate primary heat
−Wi-Fi needs an accessory
−10.5 HSPF2 is modest

Questions buyers ask

Can the Fujitsu Altair 500 12k be primary heat where winters are cold?+

Probably not in cold regions. Fujitsu's heating floor is 5°F, and NEEP certifies only 8,500 BTU at 5°F compared with 14,000 BTU at 47°F, with a COP of 2.29. That is a big drop below the 12,000 BTU label. It is better as a mild-climate or shoulder-season unit.

Why is it so much cheaper than the Orion XLTH?+

The Altair 500 is about $1,687 for a 12,000 BTU system rated 24 SEER2 and 10.5 HSPF2. The price reflects the 5°F heating limit instead of -15°F. For a mild or hot climate it saves real money.

What room size fits 12,000 BTU?+

Fujitsu lists about 480 sq ft. That fits a large bedroom or a small apartment's living room.

Can I install the Altair 500 myself?+

Plan on a pro. The 10-year term needs registration within 60 days and the 12-year term needs an Elite contractor. R-32 is mildly flammable (A2L), and the lineset is 1/4" x 3/8".