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AURUS heat pump efficiency: 12 outdoor models compared

AURUS has 12 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 12 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 AURUS makes. AURUS 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
12
AHRI certifications
12
Efficiency index
32%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (10 models)
Meet CEE 2025
33.3%
4 models

How AURUS 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.
AURUS against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of AURUS’s own modelsAURUS is strongest on COP at 5°F (its typical model beats 41% of comparable models) and weakest on capacity retention at 5°F (21%).
  • AURUS
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AURUS

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of AURUS’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index10 models scored32%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F12 models scored41%Not ranked1.85
Capacity retention at 5°F10 models scored21%Not ranked70%
HSPF212 models scored35%Not ranked9.5
SEER212 models scored31%Not ranked17.0
EER212 models scored27%Not ranked9.5
Heating capacity at 5°F11 models scored32%Not ranked9,100 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of AURUS’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)33.3%4
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)33.3%4
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)33.3%4
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate33.3%4

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.
AURUS’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
  • AURUS (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 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 tons835%44%40%35%
Non-ducted, 2 tons231%17%44%43%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons28%52%7%3%

Every AURUS model in the market

AURUS’s 12 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
AURUS models by size and ratingColoured: AURUS · grey shapes: all 14,508 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • AURUS models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 12 aurus 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 AURUS 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 AURUS 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
1ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.09,10024.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980959Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons59.5
2ARU454-H12A1/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A1/INVL-US21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.08,90023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980960Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons58.9
3ARU454-H18A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H18A2/INVL-US21.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%1.8010.013,60023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1218008868Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons38.9
4ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US22 tons23,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted74%1.809.518,60023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980961Non-ducted, 2 tons36.7

All-around best

Top 5 AURUS 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
1ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.024.013.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980959Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons67.759.575.859.5
2ARU454-H12A1/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A1/INVL-US21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.023.013.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980960Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons65.058.971.158.9
3ARU454-H18A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H18A2/INVL-US21.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%1.8010.023.012.5CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1218008868Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons51.438.963.838.9
4ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US22 tons23,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted74%1.809.523.011.7CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980961Non-ducted, 2 tons48.336.759.936.7
5ARU32-H12A1/INVL-US2AURUSwith ductless indoor unit ARU32-H12A1/INVL-US2Also listed as ARU32-H12C1/INVL-US21 ton11,500 Btu/h · Non-ducted70%1.909.517.09.5None1216980954Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons22.136.37.9Not a pick

Best model on each rating

AURUS’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FARU-H36A2-INVX-US2.21Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons96%214660273
Capacity retention at 5°FARU454-H24A2/INVL-US274%Non-ducted, 2 tons49%216980961
HSPF2ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US210.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons64%216980959
SEER2ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US223.0Non-ducted, 2 tons79%216980961
EER2ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US213.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons70%216980959
Heating capacity at 5°FARU454-H18A2/INVL-US213,600 Btu/hNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons79%218008868

All 12 AURUS models in Explore

AURUS 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.
AURUS: 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 tons59.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US23 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21698095967.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US27 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980959
Non-ducted, 2 tons36.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21698096148.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980961
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)7.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU32-H36A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU32-H36A2/INVL-US21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980958

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest AURUS certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 5 most recently certified AURUS outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
ARU32-H12C1/INVL-US2AURUSwith ductless indoor unit ARU32-H12C1/INVL-US21 ton11,500 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.9070%9.517.0None1218008869
ARU454-H18A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H18A2/INVL-US21.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.8072%10.023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1218008868
ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US22 tons23,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.8074%9.523.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980961
ARU454-H12A1/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A1/INVL-US21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.1072%10.023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980960
ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2AURUS · Starwith ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US21 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.1072%10.024.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1216980959

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