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AIR C heat pump efficiency: 11 outdoor models compared

AIR C has 11 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 21 AHRI-certified combinations. Each model is compared with models of the same size and duct type, so the scores below do not depend on which sizes AIR C makes. AIR C has no QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file, so it is not ranked against other manufacturers.

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ManufacturerData as of updated · sources

Outdoor models
11
AHRI certifications
21
Efficiency index
78%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (15 models)
Meet CEE 2025
90.9%
10 models

How AIR C compares with comparable models

For each rating: the share of same-size, same-type models that a typical model of this manufacturer beats (50% is typical), its rank, and the raw median for context. Raw medians are not comparable across manufacturers that make different sizes.
AIR C against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of AIR C’s own modelsAIR C is strongest on HSPF2 (its typical model beats 88% of comparable models) and weakest on COP at 5°F (60%).
  • AIR C
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR C

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of AIR C’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index15 models scored78%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F16 models scored60%Not ranked2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F16 models scored85%Not ranked100%
HSPF215 models scored88%Not ranked10.9
SEER216 models scored81%Not ranked23.0
EER216 models scored79%Not ranked13.0
Heating capacity at 5°F16 models scored83%Not ranked22,600 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of AIR C’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)90.9%10
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)90.9%10
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%11
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.
AIR C’s models inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · blue: the middle half of this manufacturer’s models there, median dot, 10th–90th percentile line
  • AIR C (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Share of comparable models beaten, per peer group
Size and duct typeModelsIndexCOP@5°FHSPF2SEER2
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons177%63%79%83%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons281%56%87%86%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons283%62%97%94%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons680%58%88%87%
Non-ducted, 2 tons177%94%98%49%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons276%53%85%76%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons268%52%82%70%

Every AIR C model in the market

AIR C’s 16 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
AIR C models by size and ratingColoured: AIR C · grey shapes: all 14,508 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • AIR C models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 16 air c models, each through its representative certification, in the colour of the rating shown. The grey shapes count all 14,508 models, half a ton at a time.
Show the data as a table
COP at 5°F by size and duct type (every model, by rated cooling capacity)
Duct type, sizeModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
Ducted, 0.5 tons8261.641.711.751.852.24
Ducted, 1 ton4071.801.902.052.412.45
Ducted, 1.5 tons9921.751.862.002.172.40
Ducted, 2 tons9991.751.862.002.182.30
Ducted, 2.5 tons1,0401.701.802.002.102.36
Ducted, 3 tons6961.801.902.002.102.42
Ducted, 3.5 tons8641.701.802.002.102.46
Ducted, 4 tons7271.801.862.002.122.40
Ducted, 4.5 tons6901.701.801.902.102.20
Ducted, 5 tons861.892.002.102.102.10
Non-ducted, 0.5 tons1,1861.751.801.902.002.22
Non-ducted, 1 ton1,3431.801.801.992.102.21
Non-ducted, 1.5 tons1,2611.801.802.002.102.31
Non-ducted, 2 tons7611.801.982.002.102.30
Non-ducted, 2.5 tons4031.801.852.002.002.10
Non-ducted, 3 tons4731.901.982.002.032.20
Non-ducted, 3.5 tons2802.002.002.002.052.10
Non-ducted, 4 tons2041.962.002.052.102.11
Non-ducted, 4.5 tons781.901.911.952.012.01
Non-ducted, 5 tons841.992.002.052.202.20

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Top AIR C models

Its top five cold-climate picks and its top five all-around models across sizes (both scores compare each model with models of its own size and duct type, so sizes compare), then, on each single rating, the model that beats the largest share of comparable models.

Cold-climate picks

Top 5 AIR C cold-climate picks across sizes. Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
# · Outdoor modelSize · typeCap. 5/47COP@5°FHSPF2Btu/h @5°FSEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.Compared withScore
1UE-H24S1PAIR Cwith ductless indoor unit UI-H24MS1P2 tons24,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted83%2.3413.524,20021.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1215461321Non-ducted, 2 tons89.2
2UE-SH09S1PAIR Cwith ductless indoor unit UI-SH09MS1P1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted113%2.0014.613,50033.3CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1215461312Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.9
3UE-SH12S1PAIR Cwith ductless indoor unit UI-SH12MS1P1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted113%2.0012.713,50029.4CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1215461314Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.4
4UE-H36M1PAIR C3 tons36,000 Btu/h · Ducted106%2.0010.438,00019.4CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461336Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.1
5UE-H48M1PAIR C4 tons47,000 Btu/h · Ducted100%2.0011.048,00020.4CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461341Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7

All-around best

Top 5 AIR C models on the all-around score across sizes. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
# · Outdoor modelSize · typeCap. 5/47COP@5°FHSPF2SEER2EER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.Compared withScoreHeating halfCooling halfCold-climate score
1UE-SH09S1PAIR Cwith ductless indoor unit UI-SH09MS1P1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted113%2.0014.633.317.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1215461312Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons92.385.998.785.9
2UE-SH12S1PAIR Cwith ductless indoor unit UI-SH12MS1P1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted113%2.0012.729.414.2CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1215461314Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons88.885.492.285.4
3UE-H36M1PAIR C3 tons36,000 Btu/h · Ducted106%2.0010.419.412.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461336Ducted, 2.5–3 tons84.083.184.883.1
4UE-H48M1PAIR C4 tons47,000 Btu/h · Ducted100%2.0011.020.411.7CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461341Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.982.785.182.7
5UE-H55M1PAIR C4.5 tons53,000 Btu/h · Ducted87%2.1010.720.011.7CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461347Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.081.282.881.2

Best model on each rating

AIR C’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FUE-SH18S1P2.34Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons94%215461316
Capacity retention at 5°FUE-SH18S1P113%Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96%215461316
HSPF2UE-H48M1P11.0Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons99%215461341
SEER2UE-SH09S1P33.3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons99%215461312
EER2UE-SH09S1P17.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons98%215461312
Heating capacity at 5°FUE-SH18S1P22,600 Btu/hNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons99%215461316

All 11 AIR C models in Explore

AIR C size class by size class: cold-climate and all-around

Its best model on each board in every size and duct type it makes. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there). Cold-climate picks must keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F; the all-around score needs all five ratings and has no such bar.
AIR C: best cold-climate pick and best all-around model per size and duct type, with how many of its models are on each board (top 5 and 5 per class are in the snapshot)
Size and duct typeCold-climate pickCold-climate score, best modelAll-around bestAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H18M1P1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21546132577.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H18M1P1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461325
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H36M1P2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21546133684.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H36M1P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461336
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H48M1P2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21546134183.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H48M1P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461341
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-SH09S1Pwith ductless indoor unit UI-SH09MS1P5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21546131292.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-SH09S1Pwith ductless indoor unit UI-SH09MS1P5 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461312
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H24S1Pwith ductless indoor unit UI-H24MS1P1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21546132176.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H24S1Pwith ductless indoor unit UI-H24MS1P1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461321
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H36M1P2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21546133878.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H36M1P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461334
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H48M1P2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21546134376.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H48M1P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461339

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest AIR C certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 5 most recently certified AIR C outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
UE-H55M1PAIR C4.5 tons52,000 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.0586%10.621.1CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461349
UE-H48M1PAIR C4 tons47,000 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.0098%11.021.7CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461343
UE-H36M1PAIR C3 tons36,000 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.00103%10.621.2CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461338
UE-H24M1PAIR C2.5 tons27,400 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.0099%10.021.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461332
UE-H18M1PAIR C1.5 tons19,000 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.0093%10.222.5CEE 25CEE 26Xcel3215461327

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AIR C includes these brand names as listed in AHRI: AIR C. Standards are checked against published thresholds; program rules beyond ratings are not checked.