A:Answer I'm sure the official Amp rating is higher because a circuit needs to provide more Amps than an appliance draws to follow electrical codes.
I purchased a 12,000 BTU unit and measured the draw using a Kill-A-Watt meter. When the compressor kicks on, the Amps peak at just under 12 Amps. When the unit is running with the fan on high and the compressor on, it stays between 6.5-7.5 Amps.