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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

ACIQ

  1. 1ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-36FM-HH-MDACIQ3 tons · 36,400 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 104% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    104% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.02 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    89.3score / 100
  2. 2ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5CACIQ3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.1score / 100
  3. 3ACIQ-36Z-E-HH-M4ACIQ3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    73.4score / 100

AUX

  1. 1AM4-H36/2DR3BAUXAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    73.4score / 100
  2. 2ASPR30HPMULOAUX2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 79% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    62.9score / 100
  3. 3ASPR36HPMULOAUX3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    59.9score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view