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ACIQ vs Hisense: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ACIQ model beats 50% and a typical Hisense model 54%. Hisense rates slightly higher overall.

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

ACIQ

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

175 models listed

Hisense

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

161 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 55%Hisense: Beats 59%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FACIQ: Beats 43%Hisense: Beats 61%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ACIQ: Beats 52%Hisense: Beats 51%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ACIQ: Beats 49%Hisense: Beats 56%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ACIQ: Beats 52%Hisense: Beats 46%

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
    55%
    Hisense
    80%
  • Xcel CC

    ACIQ
    46%
    Hisense
    68%
  • CEE Advanced

    ACIQ
    2%
    Hisense
    8%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ACIQ
    34%
    Hisense
    55%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

ACIQ

  1. 1ES-48Z-M6CACIQ4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.1score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 92
  2. 2N5H9V48*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FTMA5B60L0DACIQ4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.0score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 91
  3. 3ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6CACIQ4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    83.9score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85

Hisense

  1. 1AOH-48U3T24Pwith ducted air handler AE*L+DM60B4J+TDRHisense4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.64 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    82.6score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 87
  2. 2AUWR-60U3TH5with ducted air handler AUH-48UX3TEH3HisenseAlso listed as AUWR-4824P4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 88.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.52 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    82.3score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 87
  3. 3AUW-48U3TH1with ducted air handler AUH-48UX3TEH5HisenseAlso listed as AOU-48U3T25U4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    82.1score / 100Heating 84 · Cooling 80

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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