Skip to content

AC BEST LA vs COSTWAY heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AC BEST LA scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. AC BEST LA has 3 outdoor models, COSTWAY has 3 outdoor models. AC BEST LA has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

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.
AC BEST LA and COSTWAY 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, AC BEST LA scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • AC BEST LA
  • COSTWAY
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AC BEST …COSTWAY

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAC BEST LACOSTWAY
Efficiency index58% (higher)median —48% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F47% (higher)median 1.8621% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F50% (higher)median 71%33% (higher)median 65%
HSPF261% (higher)median 9.246% (higher)median 9.0
SEER266%median 21.576%median 22.0
EER260% (higher)median 12.550% (higher)median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F47%median 14,000 Btu/h55%median 16,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models33
AHRI certifications43

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAC BEST LACOSTWAY
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%3 models100%3 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%3 models100%3 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)66.7%2 models33.3%1 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models33.3%1 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 · 2 groups where both have models
  • AC BEST LA
  • COSTWAY
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 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 typeAC BEST LACOSTWAY
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1 · index 57%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons2 · index 53%1 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 67%1 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone1 · index 49%

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 typeAC BEST LACold-climate score, best modelCOSTWAYCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons46.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)M2OA-18HFN1-M1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208073237No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)M2OA-18HFN1-M1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 20807323536.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)FP10794US-WH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215439580
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)M3OJ-27HFN1-M1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208073243None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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 typeAC BEST LAAll-around score, best modelCOSTWAYAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)M2OA-18HFN1-M1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208073237No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons54.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MOX230-09HFN1-BS5Wwith ductless indoor unit MSAG11A-09HRFN1-BS5W2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20807322643.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)FP10794US-WH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215439580
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class49.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FP10795US-WH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215439581
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons67.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)M3OJ-27HFN1-M1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20807324351.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)FP10796US-WH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215439582

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
RatingAC BEST LACOSTWAY
COP at 5°Fbeats 86% · 2.18MOX230-09HFN1-BS5WNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 26% · 1.80FP10795US-WHNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 57% · 71%M3OJ-27HFN1-MNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 44% · 70%FP10794US-WHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 72% · 10.2M2OA-18HFN1-MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 48% · 9.0FP10795US-WHNon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2beats 93% · 23.5M3OJ-27HFN1-MNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 85% · 22.0FP10795US-WHNon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2beats 75% · 12.2M3OJ-27HFN1-MNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 67% · 12.0FP10796US-WHNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 85% · 14,000 Btu/hM2OA-18HFN1-MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 84% · 13,800 Btu/hFP10794US-WHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons