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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

ACIQ

  1. 1ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MDACIQ0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 97.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    14.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    96.5score / 100Heating 97 · Cooling 96
  2. 2ACIQ-09ZS-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-09FM-HH-MDACIQ1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 90.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    93.2score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 96
  3. 3ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-09FM-HH-MDACIQ1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 74.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    126% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    27.2 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.1 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    84.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 96

AUX

  1. 1ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2with ductless indoor unit ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2AUXAlso listed as ASW-H18E3B2/**R3DI-D21.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 80.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    84.2score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 88
  2. 2AMAR18HP230V1COwith ductless indoor unit AMAR18HP230V1CHAUX1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.21 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.2score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 88
  3. 3AMAR09HP115V1COwith ductless indoor unit AMAR09HP115V1CHAUX1 ton · 9,200 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.9score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 88

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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