Classic America heat pump efficiency: 9 outdoor models compared

Classic America has 9 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 9 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 Classic America makes. Classic America 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 Oct 9, 2026updated Oct 10, 2026 · sources

Outdoor models: 9
AHRI certifications: 9
Efficiency index: 32%; Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (9 models)
Meet CEE 2025: 44.4%; 4 models

How Classic America 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.

Classic America against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of Classic America’s own modelsClassic America is strongest on HSPF2 (its typical model beats 43% of comparable models) and weakest on capacity retention at 5°F (22%).

Classic America
Middle half of its models
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile of Classic America’s models
Rating	Beats comparable models	Rank	Raw median
Efficiency index9 models scored	32%	Not ranked	—
COP at 5°F9 models scored	33%	Not ranked	1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F9 models scored	22%	Not ranked	70%
HSPF29 models scored	43%	Not ranked	9.5
SEER29 models scored	38%	Not ranked	17.0
EER29 models scored	27%	Not ranked	9.5
Heating capacity at 5°F9 models scored	28%	Not ranked	16,000 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of Classic America’s models with at least one qualifying certification
Standard	Share	Models
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	44.4%	4
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	44.4%	4
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%	0
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	44.4%	4
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%	0
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	44.4%	4

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.

Classic America’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

Classic America (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
All models of the group

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Share of comparable models beaten, per peer group
Size and duct type	Models	Index	COP@5°F	HSPF2	SEER2
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	4	28%	32%	37%	26%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	1	13%	17%	44%	4%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	3	41%	38%	50%	54%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1	42%	37%	40%	73%

Every Classic America model in the market

Classic America’s 9 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.

Classic America models by size and ratingColoured: Classic America · grey shapes: all 14,508 models · lines: catalog medians by size

Classic America models
Ducted median by size
Non-ducted median by size
Every model at each size (width = count)
Standard threshold

Dots: 9 classic america 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, size	Models	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Ducted, 0.5 tons	826	1.64	1.71	1.75	1.85	2.24
Ducted, 1 ton	407	1.80	1.90	2.05	2.41	2.45
Ducted, 1.5 tons	992	1.75	1.86	2.00	2.17	2.40
Ducted, 2 tons	999	1.75	1.86	2.00	2.18	2.30
Ducted, 2.5 tons	1,040	1.70	1.80	2.00	2.10	2.36
Ducted, 3 tons	696	1.80	1.90	2.00	2.10	2.42
Ducted, 3.5 tons	864	1.70	1.80	2.00	2.10	2.46
Ducted, 4 tons	727	1.80	1.86	2.00	2.12	2.40
Ducted, 4.5 tons	690	1.70	1.80	1.90	2.10	2.20
Ducted, 5 tons	86	1.89	2.00	2.10	2.10	2.10
Non-ducted, 0.5 tons	1,186	1.75	1.80	1.90	2.00	2.22
Non-ducted, 1 ton	1,343	1.80	1.80	1.99	2.10	2.21
Non-ducted, 1.5 tons	1,261	1.80	1.80	2.00	2.10	2.31
Non-ducted, 2 tons	761	1.80	1.98	2.00	2.10	2.30
Non-ducted, 2.5 tons	403	1.80	1.85	2.00	2.00	2.10
Non-ducted, 3 tons	473	1.90	1.98	2.00	2.03	2.20
Non-ducted, 3.5 tons	280	2.00	2.00	2.00	2.05	2.10
Non-ducted, 4 tons	204	1.96	2.00	2.05	2.10	2.11
Non-ducted, 4.5 tons	78	1.90	1.91	1.95	2.01	2.01
Non-ducted, 5 tons	84	1.99	2.00	2.05	2.20	2.20

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Top Classic America 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 Classic America 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 model	Size · type	Cap. 5/47	COP@5°F	HSPF2	Btu/h @5°F	SEER2	Meets	Combos	AHRI ref.	Compared with	Score
1MZR454-18CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series	1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	80%	2.00	10.5	16,000	24.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734698	Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	68.6
2MZR454-27CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	2.5 tons27,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	71%	2.00	10.5	19,800	24.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734699	Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	57.5
3MZR454-36CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	3 tons35,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	72%	2.00	10.0	26,000	22.5	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734700	Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	52.5
4MZR454-42CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	71%	2.00	10.0	30,000	22.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734701	Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	31.2

All-around best

Top 5 Classic America 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 model	Size · type	Cap. 5/47	COP@5°F	HSPF2	SEER2	EER2	Meets	Combos	AHRI ref.	Compared with	Score	Heating half	Cooling half	Cold-climate score
1MZR454-18CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series	1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	80%	2.00	10.5	24.0	13.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734698	Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	72.2	68.6	75.8	68.6
2MZR454-27CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	2.5 tons27,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	71%	2.00	10.5	24.0	12.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734699	Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	65.1	57.5	72.6	57.5
3MZR454-36CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	3 tons35,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	72%	2.00	10.0	22.5	11.1	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734700	Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	51.1	52.5	49.7	52.5
4MZR454-42CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	71%	2.00	10.0	22.0	11.2	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734701	Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	42.4	31.2	53.7	31.2
5MSCR32-12CHSA1-OClassic Americawith ductless indoor unit MSCR32-12CHSA1-I	1 ton11,500 Btu/h · Non-ducted	70%	1.90	9.5	17.0	9.5	None	1	217734530	Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	22.1	36.3	7.9	Not a pick

Best model on each rating

Classic America’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
Rating	Model	Value	Compared with	Beats	AHRI ref.
COP at 5°F	MZR454-18CHA2-O	2.00	Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	63%	217734698
Capacity retention at 5°F	MZR454-18CHA2-O	80%	Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	61%	217734698
HSPF2	MZR454-27CHA2-O	10.5	Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80%	217734699
SEER2	MZR454-27CHA2-O	24.0	Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	91%	217734699
EER2	MZR454-18CHA2-O	13.0	Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70%	217734698
Heating capacity at 5°F	MZR454-18CHA2-O	16,000 Btu/h	Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	88%	217734698

All 9 Classic America models in Explore

Classic America 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.

Classic America: 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 type	Cold-climate pickCold-climate score, best model	All-around bestAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-18CHA2-O1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217734698	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-18CHA2-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734698
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	13.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSCR32-23CHSA2-Owith ductless indoor unit MSCR32-23CHSA2-I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734533
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-27CHA2-O2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217734699	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-27CHA2-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734699
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-42CHA2-O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217734701	42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-42CHA2-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734701

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest Classic America certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.

The 5 most recently certified Classic America outdoor models
Outdoor model	Size · type	COP@5°F	Cap. 5/47	HSPF2	SEER2	Meets	Combos	AHRI ref.
MZR454-42CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	2.00	71%	10.0	22.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734701
MZR454-36CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	3 tons35,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	2.00	72%	10.0	22.5	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734700
MZR454-27CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series classic America	2.5 tons27,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	2.00	71%	10.5	24.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734699
MZR454-18CHA2-OClassic America · DUET Series	1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	2.00	80%	10.5	24.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	1	217734698
MSCR32-35CHSA2-OClassic Americawith ductless indoor unit MSCR32-35CHSA2-I	3 tons35,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted	1.80	51%	8.5	17.0	None	1	217734534

Shares hardware with

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

ACIQ5 shared families
GARVEE5 shared families
TGM5 shared families
Bestcold4 shared families
BULLETPROOF AC3 shared families
NOVA3 shared families
ROVSUN3 shared families
ZOKOP3 shared families
AURUS1 shared family
BHI1 shared family

Compare Classic America

Manufacturers of a similar size, side by side.

Compare with any manufacturer

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