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AAON vs Panasonic heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Panasonic scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AAON has 28 outdoor models, Panasonic has 29 outdoor models. AAON and Panasonic have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
AAON and Panasonic on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, Panasonic scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • AAON
  • Panasonic
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AAONPanasonic

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAAONPanasonic
Efficiency index34%median —68%median —
COP at 5°F16%median 1.6064%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F21%median 41%72%median 90%
HSPF234%median 7.480%median 10.3
SEER245%median 15.966%median 20.0
EER283% (higher)median 12.462% (higher)median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F26%median 21,150 Btu/h74%median 21,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models2829
AHRI certifications55277

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAAONPanasonic
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models96.6%28 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models96.6%28 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models20.7%6 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)0%0 models89.7%26 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models20.7%6 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models79.3%23 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 3 groups where both have models
  • AAON
  • Panasonic
  • 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 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeAAONPanasonic
Ducted, 2 tons5 · index 33%3 · index 64%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons7 · index 32%6 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons14 · index 36%5 · index 52%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index —None
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone6 · index 68%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone9 · index 81%
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone4 · index 76%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone3 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone1 · index 63%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). 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.
Size and duct typeAAONCold-climate score, best modelPanasonicCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-YM9CBUCwith ducted air handler CS-YM9CD2UW5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218027968
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 5 models qualify)77.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-YM24CBUCwith ducted air handler CS-YM24CD1UW3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218027971
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons44.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)RQ-003-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-A1 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21802659283.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-5YM36CBUC5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218027980
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 14 models qualify)82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-6YM48CBUC5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218027983
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class94.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-XZ9AKUACwith ductless indoor unit CS-XZ9AKUAW9 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 214837752
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class90.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-3Z22ABUC4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 214837935
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class73.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-5YM36CBUC3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218027981
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class68.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-6YM48CBUC1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218027984

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. 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.
Size and duct typeAAONAll-around score, best modelPanasonicAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-YM18CBUCwith ducted air handler CS-YM18CD1UW6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027970
Ducted, 2 tons33.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RQ-002-3-0-HBAC-V0-21-000-A1 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21461030978.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-YM24CBUCwith ducted air handler CS-YM24CD1UW3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027971
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons36.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RQ-003-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-A3 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21802659284.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-5YM36CBUC6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027980
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RQ-004-3-0-HBAC-V0-21-000-A4 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21461031583.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-6YM48CBUC5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027983
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class95.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-XZ9AKUACwith ductless indoor unit CS-XZ9AKUAW9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214837752
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class87.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-4Z24BBUC4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216441721
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-5YM36CBUC3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027979
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class62.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-6YM48CBUC1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027982

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingAAONPanasonic
COP at 5°Fbeats 54% · 2.00RQ-004-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 2.51CU-YM12CBUCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 81% · 98%RQ-003-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-ADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 134%CU-XZ9AKUACNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 72% · 8.9CF-005-3-A-GB0C-00-21-000-ADucted, 5 tons and upbeats 99% · 11.0CU-6YM48CBUCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 91% · 19.6CF-002-3-A-FB0C-00-21-000-ADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 27.5CU-XZ9AKUACNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 100% · 15.7CF-002-3-A-FB0C-00-21-000-ADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 97% · 16.4CU-XZ9AKUACNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 87% · 34,600 Btu/hRQ-003-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-ADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 22,000 Btu/hCU-2Z18ABUCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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