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 Hisense 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, Hisense scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

ACIQ
Hisense
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	ACIQ	Hisense
Efficiency index	50%median —	54%median — · 11th ranked
COP at 5°F	55%median 2.00	59%median 2.00 · 11th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	43%median 69%	61%median 77% · 6th ranked
HSPF2	52% (higher)median 8.5	51% (higher)median 9.0 · 15th ranked
SEER2	49%median 17.0	56%median 20.0 · 12th ranked
EER2	52% (higher)median 11.2	46% (higher)median 11.7 · 20th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	46%median 19,600 Btu/h	57%median 18,000 Btu/h · 11th ranked
Outdoor models	175	161
AHRI certifications	18,053	1,109

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	ACIQ	Hisense
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	55.4%97 models	80.1%129 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	53.1%93 models	75.8%122 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.7%3 models	7.5%12 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	46.3%81 models	68.3%110 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.7%3 models	7.5%12 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	33.7%59 models	55.3%89 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 · 10 groups where both have models

ACIQ
Hisense
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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	ACIQ	Hisense
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	16 · index 64%	11 · index 55%
Ducted, 2 tons	24 · index 47%	14 · index 46%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	36 · index 49%	23 · index 57%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	57 · index 48%	28 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	7 · index 65%	5 · index 70%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	30 · index 49%	70 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 50%	15 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	13 · index 47%	15 · index 45%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	5 · index 52%	5 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 59%	1 · index 84%

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	HisenseCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPDwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WMB11 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 216980785	73.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUW-24U3TK1with ducted air handler AUH-18UX3TFH5Also listed as AOU-24U3T25U14 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 217465404
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MC13 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 216032347	82.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUWR-24U3TK5with ducted air handler AUH-24UX3TDH38 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 214802096
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MC16 of 36 models qualify · AHRI 216032348	87.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-36U3TW5with ducted air handler AUH-36UX3TDH3Also listed as AUWR-3624P, AOH-36U3T24P17 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 214802097
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-AH3226 of 53 models qualify · AHRI 215387241	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUW-48U3TH1with ducted air handler AUH-48UX3TEH5Also listed as AOU-48U3T25U19 of 27 models qualify · AHRI 217469235
Ducted, 5 tons and up	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)B5H3V60KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON5 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 218628756	88.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-60U3TH5with ducted air handler AUH-60UX3TEH36 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 214802098
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD20 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 216032333	90.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AO-12U3T25Pwith ductless indoor unit AS-12U3THE25PAlso listed as AO-12U3T26P249 of 70 models qualify · AHRI 217727404
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24CC-HH-MC4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 216032341	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUW-24U3TK1with ductless indoor unit ACT-24UR3TJA1Also listed as AOU-24U3T25U15 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 216019253
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-36FM-HH-MD8 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 216032355	92.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-36F3DAH212 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 216618248
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216032372	94.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-48F3DAH24 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216618251
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	98.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVW-60F3DAH21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216618254

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	HisenseAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MC16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032344	67.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUW-24U3TK1with ducted air handler AUH-18UX3TFH5Also listed as AOU-24U3T25U14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217465404
Ducted, 2 tons	82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V24KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B36L0C+WALLCON22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218628751	79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUWR-24U3TK5with ducted air handler AUH-24UX3TDH311 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214802096
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H5H3V36KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON37 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216635478	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUWR-36U3TW5with ducted air handler AUH-36UX3TDH3Also listed as AUWR-3624P, AOH-36U3T24P23 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214802097
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ES-48Z-M6C53 of 53 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032386	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AOH-48U3T24Pwith ducted air handler AE*L+DM60B4J+TDR28 of 28 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217269197
Ducted, 5 tons and up	89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V60KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218628756	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUWR-6024Pwith ducted air handler AUH-6024Also listed as AOH-60U3T24P5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214855379
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD30 of 30 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032333	94.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AS-09UW3TBW00with ductless indoor unit AS-09UW3TBW**00Also listed as AO-09U3T25P, AO-09U3T26P270 of 70 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216739752
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZS-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MD7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471560	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AST-24UW3TKN00with ductless indoor unit AST-24UW3TKN**0015 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214081399
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032367	86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-36F3DAH215 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216618248
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032370	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-48F3DAH25 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216618251
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-55Z-M6C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032388	83.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-60F3DAH21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216618254

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	Hisense
COP at 5°F	beats 99% · 2.93ACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 2.53AST-18UW3RXW00Also listed as AO-18U3R25ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 126%ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 100%AVW-60F3DAH2Ducted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2	beats 99% · 14.8ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 10.1AVW-60F3DAH2Ducted, 5 tons and up
SEER2	beats 100% · 23.0H5H3V48KAAAAlso listed as B5H3V48K*AAADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 32.0AS-09UW3TBW00Also listed as AO-09U3T25P, AO-09U3T26P2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 18.0ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 18.4AS-09UW3TBW00Also listed as AO-09U3T25P, AO-09U3T26P2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 19,600 Btu/hACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 63,000 Btu/hAVW-60F3DAH2Ducted, 5 tons and up

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ACIQ vs Hisense heat pumps