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AIR MAX heat pump efficiency: 7 outdoor models compared

AIR MAX has 7 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 7 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 MAX makes. AIR MAX has no QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file, so it is not ranked against other manufacturers.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

ManufacturerData as of updated · sources

Outdoor models
7
AHRI certifications
7
Efficiency index
45%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (6 models)
Meet CEE 2025
57.1%
4 models

How AIR MAX 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 MAX against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of AIR MAX’s own modelsAIR MAX is strongest on capacity retention at 5°F (its typical model beats 60% of comparable models) and weakest on HSPF2 (17%).
  • AIR MAX
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR MAX

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of AIR MAX’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index6 models scored45%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F6 models scored28%Not ranked1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F6 models scored60%Not ranked73%
HSPF27 models scored17%Not ranked8.5
SEER27 models scored46%Not ranked20.0
EER27 models scored49%Not ranked11.3
Heating capacity at 5°F6 models scored52%Not ranked12,000 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of AIR MAX’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%4
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%4
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)42.9%3
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 MAX’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 MAX (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsmedian

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Share of comparable models beaten, per peer group
Size and duct typeModelsIndexCOP@5°FHSPF2SEER2
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons449%27%16%60%
Non-ducted, 2 tons125%5%22%27%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons248%53%16%28%

Every AIR MAX model in the market

AIR MAX’s 7 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
AIR MAX models by size and ratingColoured: AIR MAX · grey shapes: all 11,475 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • AIR MAX models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 7 air max models, each through its representative certification, in the colour of the rating shown. The grey shapes count all 11,475 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 tons1751.701.851.902.102.26
Ducted, 1 ton3401.851.902.002.402.65
Ducted, 1.5 tons7891.751.852.002.202.55
Ducted, 2 tons7821.731.802.002.102.33
Ducted, 2.5 tons7351.711.801.902.092.48
Ducted, 3 tons6521.681.701.902.062.36
Ducted, 3.5 tons6411.611.801.952.202.50
Ducted, 4 tons3671.701.801.912.022.52
Ducted, 4.5 tons5441.701.801.912.082.34
Ducted, 5 tons251.801.801.901.902.15
Non-ducted, 0.5 tons7171.751.811.972.102.19
Non-ducted, 1 ton1,0641.751.801.902.072.25
Non-ducted, 1.5 tons8861.801.801.872.072.21
Non-ducted, 2 tons5641.801.801.832.042.21
Non-ducted, 2.5 tons2751.801.811.841.862.03
Non-ducted, 3 tons5021.801.801.902.002.09
Non-ducted, 3.5 tons701.821.831.902.002.28
Non-ducted, 4 tons2631.801.801.982.002.10
Non-ducted, 4.5 tons1031.771.771.801.972.02
Non-ducted, 5 tons291.982.002.102.302.47

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Top AIR MAX 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 4 AIR MAX 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
1AWGYC12-C2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted98%1.918.512,00024.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1205758359Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons50.5
2AWGYC36-H2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H23 tons33,600 Btu/h · Non-ducted71%1.858.524,40020.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1211330205Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons44.1
3AWGXC12-H2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGXE12-H21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted73%1.708.58,80020.0None1211330195Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons24.7
4AWGXC12-H1AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGXE12-H11 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%1.708.58,60020.0None1211330194Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons23.9

All-around best

Top 5 AIR MAX 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
1AWGYC12-C2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted98%1.918.524.014.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1205758359Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons68.150.585.750.5
2AWGYC36-H2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H23 tons33,600 Btu/h · Non-ducted71%1.858.520.011.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1211330205Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons47.844.151.544.1
3AWGXC12-H2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGXE12-H21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted73%1.708.520.011.3None1211330195Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons30.024.735.424.7
4AWGXC12-H1AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGXE12-H11 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%1.708.520.011.3None1211330194Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons29.623.935.423.9
5AWGSC24-H2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGSE24-H22 tons22,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted67%1.758.518.511.0CEE 25CEE 261204517336Non-ducted, 2 tons25.120.429.8Not a pick

Best model on each rating

AIR MAX’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FAWGYC36-H21.85Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons53%211330205
Capacity retention at 5°FAWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H298%Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78%205758359
HSPF2AWGYC36-H28.5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons25%211330205
SEER2AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H224.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons83%205758359
EER2AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H214.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons85%205758359
Heating capacity at 5°FAWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H212,000 Btu/hNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons69%205758359

All 7 AIR MAX models in Explore

AIR MAX 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 MAX: 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
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons50.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC12-C2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H24 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20575835968.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC12-C2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H24 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205758359
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)25.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGSC24-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGSE24-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204517336
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21133020547.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211330205

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest AIR MAX certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 5 most recently certified AIR MAX outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
AWGYC12-H2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-H21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.9198%8.524.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1211330206
AWGYC36-H2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H23 tons33,600 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.8571%8.520.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1211330205
AWGXC12-H2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGXE12-H21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.7073%8.520.0None1211330195
AWGXC12-H1AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGXE12-H11 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.7072%8.520.0None1211330194
AWGYC12-C2AIR MAXwith ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.9198%8.524.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1205758359

Shares hardware with

Manufacturers whose models are the same equipment under another badge. About OEM families

No shared hardware found for AIR MAX in this group.

Compare AIR MAX

Manufacturers of a similar size, side by side.

Compare with any manufacturer

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