AC BEST LA vs McQuay heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AC BEST LA scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AC BEST LA has 3 outdoor models, McQuay has 3 outdoor models. AC BEST LA and McQuay have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · 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 McQuay 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 5 of the 6 ratings.

AC BEST LA
McQuay
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AC BEST LA	McQuay
Efficiency index	58% (higher)median —	32% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	47%median 1.86	59%median 2.01
Capacity retention at 5°F	50% (higher)median 71%	27% (higher)median 61%
HSPF2	61% (higher)median 9.2	17% (higher)median 7.8
SEER2	66% (higher)median 21.5	25% (higher)median 18.0
EER2	60% (higher)median 12.5	33% (higher)median 9.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	47% (higher)median 14,000 Btu/h	33% (higher)median 22,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	3	3
AHRI certifications	4	3

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AC BEST LA	McQuay
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%3 models	33.3%1 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%3 models	33.3%1 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	66.7%2 models	0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	0%0 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 · 1 groups where both have models

AC BEST LA
McQuay
All models of the group

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	AC BEST LA	McQuay
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 57%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	2 · index 53%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	1 · index 67%	2 · index 35%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 25%

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 type	AC BEST LACold-climate score, best model	McQuayCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	46.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)M2OA-18HFN1-M1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208073237	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)M2OA-18HFN1-M1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 208073235	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)M3OJ-27HFN1-M1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208073243	None on this board (0 of 2 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 type	AC BEST LAAll-around score, best model	McQuayAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)M2OA-18HFN1-M1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208073237	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	54.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOX230-09HFN1-BS5Wwith ductless indoor unit MSAG11A-09HRFN1-BS5W2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208073226	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	25.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MQIS-184024-HCU216Awith ductless indoor unit MQIS-184024-HWF216A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10276441
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	67.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)M3OJ-27HFN1-M1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208073243	34.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MQMI-18036-CCU216Awith ductless indoor unit MQMI-18036-CWF216AAlso listed as MQMI-18036-CCU216P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210589167

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
Rating	AC BEST LA	McQuay
COP at 5°F	beats 86% · 2.18MOX230-09HFN1-BS5WNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 87% · 2.01MQMI-18036-CCU216AAlso listed as MQMI-18036-CCU216PNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 57% · 71%M3OJ-27HFN1-MNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 35% · 67%MQIS-184024-HCU216ANon-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 72% · 10.2M2OA-18HFN1-MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 21% · 8.5MQIS-184024-HCU216ANon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 93% · 23.5M3OJ-27HFN1-MNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 26% · 18.5MQIS-184024-HCU216ANon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 75% · 12.2M3OJ-27HFN1-MNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 33% · 11.0MQIS-184024-HCU216ANon-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 85% · 14,000 Btu/hM2OA-18HFN1-MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 33% · 22,000 Btu/hMQMI-18036-CCU216AAlso listed as MQMI-18036-CCU216PNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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