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PRIME heat pump efficiency: 18 outdoor models compared

PRIME has 18 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 18 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 PRIME makes. PRIME 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
18
AHRI certifications
18
Efficiency index
20%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (9 models)
Meet CEE 2025
11.1%
2 models

How PRIME 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.
PRIME against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of PRIME’s own modelsPRIME is strongest on COP at 5°F (its typical model beats 44% of comparable models) and weakest on capacity retention at 5°F (15%).
  • PRIME
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
PRIME

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of PRIME’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index9 models scored20%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F10 models scored44%Not ranked1.95
Capacity retention at 5°F9 models scored15%Not ranked61%
HSPF218 models scored21%Not ranked8.2
SEER218 models scored18%Not ranked17.0
EER218 models scored32%Not ranked10.3
Heating capacity at 5°F10 models scored26%Not ranked9,200 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of PRIME’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)11.1%2
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)11.1%2
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)11.1%2
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.
PRIME’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
  • PRIME (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 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 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 tons1——14%22%
Ducted, 2 tons1——21%15%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2——29%27%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3——30%24%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons623%45%22%20%
Non-ducted, 2 tons218%34%28%15%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons38%52%5%3%

Every PRIME model in the market

PRIME’s 18 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
PRIME models by size and ratingColoured: PRIME · grey shapes: all 14,508 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • PRIME models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 18 prime 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 PRIME 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 2 PRIME 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
1CMPRN182-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN182-W11.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted70%2.099.012,60019.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1217747236Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons42.2
2CMPRN122-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN122-W11 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted74%2.008.38,90018.5Xcel1217747227Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons37.8

All-around best

Top 5 PRIME 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
1CMPRN121-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN121-W11 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted67%2.059.022.010.0CEE 25CEE 261217747235Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons38.039.137.0Not a pick
2CMPRN182-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN182-W11.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted70%2.099.019.011.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1217747236Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons33.442.224.642.2
3CMPRN122-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN122-W11 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted74%2.008.318.59.5Xcel1217747227Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons25.137.812.437.8
4CMPRN242-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN242-W12 tons23,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted58%2.008.519.010.5None1217747228Non-ducted, 2 tons23.523.623.3Not a pick
5CMPRN121-V1Primewith ductless indoor unit EMPRN121-V11 ton11,500 Btu/h · Non-ducted70%1.909.517.09.5None1216505866Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons22.136.37.9Not a pick

Best model on each rating

PRIME’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FCMPRN362-W12.21Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons96%217747229
Capacity retention at 5°FCMPRN122-W174%Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons44%217747227
HSPF2CMPRN121-V19.5Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons45%216505866
SEER2CMPRN121-W122.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons56%217747235
EER2CMPRN302-A12.0Ducted, 2.5–3 tons74%217481982
Heating capacity at 5°FCMPRN182-W112,600 Btu/hNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons73%217747236

All 18 PRIME models in Explore

PRIME 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.
PRIME: 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 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 3 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons42.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN182-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN182-W12 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21774723638.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN121-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN121-W16 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747235
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)23.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN242-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN242-W12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747228
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)7.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN362-V1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN362-V11 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216505870

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest PRIME certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 5 most recently certified PRIME outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
CMPRN362-G3PRIMEwith ductless indoor unit EMPRN362-G33 tons34,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted——8.017.0None1218828248
CMPRN182-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN182-W11.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.0970%9.019.0CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1217747236
CMPRN121-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN121-W11 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.0567%9.022.0CEE 25CEE 261217747235
CMPRN362-W1PRIME · L serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN362-W13 tons34,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.21—8.017.0None1217747229
CMPRN242-W1PRIME · Q serieswith ductless indoor unit EMPRN242-W12 tons23,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.0058%8.519.0None1217747228

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