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.

ACIQ and AUX 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, ACIQ and AUX split the 6 ratings 3–3.

ACIQ
AUX
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 25, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	ACIQ	AUX
Efficiency index	53% (higher)median —	49% (higher)median — · 21st ranked
COP at 5°F	56%median 2.00	60%median 2.00 · 7th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	46%median 70%	51%median 75% · 15th ranked
HSPF2	55% (higher)median 8.8	40% (higher)median 9.0 · 25th ranked
SEER2	52% (higher)median 17.5	48% (higher)median 20.0 · 18th ranked
EER2	55% (higher)median 11.5	39% (higher)median 11.0 · 27th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	48%median 20,150 Btu/h	49%median 9,600 Btu/h · 17th ranked
Outdoor models	184	189
AHRI certifications	18,512	223

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	ACIQ	AUX
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	57.6%106 models	68.3%129 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	55.4%102 models	66.1%125 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	2.2%4 models	1.1%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	48.9%90 models	65.6%124 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	2.2%4 models	1.1%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	37%68 models	34.9%66 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 · 8 groups where both have models

ACIQ
AUX
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 25, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	ACIQ	AUX
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	18 · index 66%	6 · index 60%
Ducted, 2 tons	26 · index 49%	4 · index 59%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	40 · index 52%	9 · index 63%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	58 · index 49%	5 · index 61%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	7 · index 65%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	32 · index 52%	120 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	9 · index 58%	33 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	17 · index 51%	22 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 56%	2 · index 73%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 59%	None

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	ACIQCold-climate score, best model	AUXCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	87.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPDwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WMB13 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 216980785	75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM18HPMULO6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216032437
Ducted, 2 tons	85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MC15 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 216032347	62.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM24HPMULO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216032438
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MC20 of 40 models qualify · AHRI 216032348	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASPR30HPMULO6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 216032400
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-60-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-60-AH3227 of 54 models qualify · AHRI 215387241	77.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216032440
Ducted, 5 tons and up	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)B5H3V60KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON5 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 218628756	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	97.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD22 of 32 models qualify · AHRI 216032333	83.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM2-H18/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM18HPMULO80 of 120 models qualify · AHRI 214097940
Non-ducted, 2 tons	90.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24CC-HH-MC6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 216032341	84.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM3-H24/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM24HPMULO16 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 214097943
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-36FM-HH-MD12 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 216032355	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO18 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 214097941
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216032372	60.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216050942
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	No models in this size class

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	ACIQAll-around score, best model	AUXAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MC18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032344	79.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM18HPMULO6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032437
Ducted, 2 tons	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V24KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B36L0C+WALLCON24 of 24 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218628751	78.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM24HPMULO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032438
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H5H3V36KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON41 of 41 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216635478	81.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM36HPMULO9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032439
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-42Z-E-HH-M554 of 54 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217751653	87.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032440
Ducted, 5 tons and up	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)B5H3V60KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218628756	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD32 of 32 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032333	84.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2with ductless indoor unit ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2Also listed as ASW-H18E3B2/**R3DI-D2102 of 120 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215218928
Non-ducted, 2 tons	87.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZS-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MD9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471560	87.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7with ductless indoor unit ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7Also listed as ASW-H24F6A2/**R3DI-D729 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217115274
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032367	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO18 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214097941
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032370	74.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216050942
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	58.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-55Z-M6C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032388	No models in this size class

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	ACIQ	AUX
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 2.93ACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 2.52AFEB09HP115V1CONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 108%ACIQ-24Z-E-HH-M3Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 99% · 108%AM3-H24/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM24HPMULONon-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 14.8ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 11.0AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 23.0H5H3V48KAAAAlso listed as B5H3V48K*AAADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 22.0ASUM42HPMULODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 18.0ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 14.0AMAR24HP230V1CONon-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 99% · 21,800 Btu/hACIQ-18Z-E-HH-M2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 21,800 Btu/hAM2-H18/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM18HPMULONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

In the cold

NEEP cold-climate listings of both manufacturers against all listed models.

ACIQ vs AUX: capacity and COP from 47°F downNEEP cold-climate listings at maximum capacity · 6,130 models (45.8% of the catalog) have ratings at 47, 17 and 5°F

All listed models (median, middle 50% and 80%)
ACIQ (median, middle 50%)
AUX (median, middle 50%)

One curve per model: its NEEP-rated certification with the best 5°F COP. Every point of a curve is over the same models. NEEP lists only models submitted to it, so this is a cold-climate-leaning subset, not the whole catalog.

Show the data as a table

All listed models: capacity, % of its 47°F maximum
Scope, temperature	Models	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
All rated models, 47°F	6,130	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
All rated models, 17°F	6,130	64%	69%	74%	83%	91%
All rated models, 5°F	6,130	57%	61%	69%	77%	83%

All listed models: COP at maximum capacity
Scope, temperature	Models	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
All rated models, 47°F	6,130	2.8	3.01	3.24	3.48	3.66
All rated models, 17°F	6,130	2	2.14	2.3	2.42	2.61
All rated models, 5°F	6,130	1.8	1.87	2	2.1	2.24

ACIQ: capacity, % of its 47°F maximum
Scope, temperature	Models	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
ACIQ, 47°F	83	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
ACIQ, 17°F	83	67%	71%	76%	82%	86%
ACIQ, 5°F	83	58%	64%	70%	78%	83%

ACIQ: COP at maximum capacity
Scope, temperature	Models	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
ACIQ, 47°F	83	3	3.18	3.41	3.58	3.75
ACIQ, 17°F	83	2.07	2.17	2.31	2.5	2.67
ACIQ, 5°F	83	1.89	2	2	2.1	2.21

AUX: capacity, % of its 47°F maximum
Scope, temperature	Models	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
AUX, 47°F	65	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
AUX, 17°F	65	67%	70%	73%	79%	85%
AUX, 5°F	65	62%	65%	70%	73%	83%

AUX: COP at maximum capacity
Scope, temperature	Models	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
AUX, 47°F	65	2.93	3.18	3.3	3.52	3.72
AUX, 17°F	65	2.1	2.17	2.28	2.34	2.45
AUX, 5°F	65	1.89	2	2	2.1	2.18

Source: NEEP ccASHP list · as of Oct 25, 2026

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ACIQ vs AUX heat pumps