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ACIQ vs AUX: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ACIQ model beats 53% and a typical AUX model 49%. ACIQ rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

ACIQ

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

184 models listed

AUX

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

189 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FACIQ: Beats 56%AUX: Beats 60%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FACIQ: Beats 46%AUX: Beats 51%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ACIQ: Beats 55%AUX: Beats 40%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ACIQ: Beats 52%AUX: Beats 48%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ACIQ: Beats 55%AUX: Beats 39%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    ACIQ
    58%
    AUX
    68%

  • Xcel CC

    ACIQ
    49%
    AUX
    66%

  • CEE Advanced

    ACIQ
    2%
    AUX
    1%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ACIQ
    37%
    AUX
    35%

All-around best, ductless 2 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

ACIQ

  1. 1ACIQ-24ZS-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MDACIQ2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 85.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.54 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    87.6score / 100Heating 85 · Cooling 90
  2. 2ACIQ-24Z-E-HH-M3ACIQ2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 84.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    108% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.9score / 100Heating 85 · Cooling 87
  3. 3ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MDACIQ2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 90.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.0score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 67

AUX

  1. 1ASW-H24F6A2/ *R3DI-D7with ductless indoor unit ASW-H24F6A2/ *R3DI-D7AUXAlso listed as ASW-H24F6A2/**R3DI-D72 tons · 22,400 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    87.0score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 96
  2. 2AMAR24HP230V1COwith ductless indoor unit AMAR24HP230V1CHAUX2 tons · 22,400 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 77.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.8score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 96
  3. 3AM3-H24/2DR3BAUXAlso listed as ASUM24HPMULO2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 84.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    108% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.9score / 100Heating 85 · Cooling 87

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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