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Live cool heat pump efficiency: 10 outdoor models compared

Live cool has 10 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 10 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 Live cool makes. Live cool 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
10
AHRI certifications
10
Efficiency index
57%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (10 models)
Meet CEE 2025
100%
10 models

How Live cool 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.
Live cool against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of Live cool’s own modelsLive cool is strongest on SEER2 (its typical model beats 74% of comparable models) and weakest on capacity retention at 5°F (37%).
  • Live cool
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
Live cool

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of Live cool’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index10 models scored57%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F10 models scored44%Not ranked1.84
Capacity retention at 5°F10 models scored37%Not ranked72%
HSPF210 models scored57%Not ranked10.0
SEER210 models scored74%Not ranked23.0
EER210 models scored63%Not ranked13.0
Heating capacity at 5°F10 models scored47%Not ranked9,100 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of Live cool’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%10
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%10
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%10
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate90%9

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.
Live cool’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
  • Live cool (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 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 tons859%51%61%72%
Non-ducted, 2 tons249%17%44%82%

Every Live cool model in the market

Live cool’s 10 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
Live cool models by size and ratingColoured: Live cool · grey shapes: all 14,508 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • Live cool models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 10 live cool 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 Live cool 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 Live cool 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
1KWSM-12IR454BHS24RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS24R1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.09,10024.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217617840Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons59.5
2KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LR1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.08,90023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217617838Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons58.9
3KWSM-18IR454BHS23RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-18IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-18IR454BHS23R1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%1.8010.013,60023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217617841Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons38.9
4KWSM-24IR454BHS23RLive coolwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23R2 tons23,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted76%1.809.518,90023.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1217617842Non-ducted, 2 tons37.7
5KWSM-09IR454BHS24RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-09IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-09IR454BHS24R1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted71%1.849.57,10023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217617839Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons35.8

All-around best

Top 5 Live cool 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
1KWSM-12IR454BHS24RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS24R1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.024.013.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217617840Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons67.759.575.859.5
2KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LR1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.023.013.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217617838Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons65.058.971.158.9
3KWSM-09IR454BHS24RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-09IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-09IR454BHS24R1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted71%1.849.523.013.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217617839Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons53.535.871.135.8
4KWSM-18IR454BHS23RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-18IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-18IR454BHS23R1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%1.8010.023.012.5CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217617841Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons51.438.963.838.9
5KWSM-24IR454BHS23RLive coolwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23R2 tons23,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted76%1.809.523.011.7CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1217617842Non-ducted, 2 tons48.837.759.937.7

Best model on each rating

Live cool’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FKWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LR2.10Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons77%217617838
Capacity retention at 5°FKWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23R76%Non-ducted, 2 tons52%217617842
HSPF2KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LR10.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons64%217617838
SEER2KWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23R23.0Non-ducted, 2 tons79%217617842
EER2KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LR13.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons70%217617838
Heating capacity at 5°FKWSM-18IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-18IR454BHS23R13,600 Btu/hNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons79%217617841

All 10 Live cool models in Explore

Live cool 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.
Live cool: 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)KWSM-12IR454BHS24Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS24R8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21761784067.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-12IR454BHS24Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS24R8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217617840
Non-ducted, 2 tons37.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS23Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23R2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21761784248.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS23Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23R2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217617842

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest Live cool certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 5 most recently certified Live cool outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
LWSM-24IR454BHS23RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR454BHS23R2 tons23,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.8076%9.523.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217643017
LWSM-18IR454BHS23RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-18IR454BHS23R1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.8072%10.023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217643016
LWSM-12IR454BHS24RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24R1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.1072%10.024.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217643015
LWSM-09IR454BHS24RLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-09IR454BHS24R1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.8471%9.523.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217643014
LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRLive cool · T-prowith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS23LR1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.1072%10.023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217643013

Shares hardware with

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

No shared hardware found for Live cool in this group.

Compare Live cool

Manufacturers of a similar size, side by side.

Compare with any manufacturer

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