Skip to content

ADP vs STEALTH heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ADP and STEALTH split the 6 ratings 3–3. ADP has 15 outdoor models, STEALTH has 11 outdoor models. ADP and STEALTH have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

CompareData as of updated · sources

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.
ADP and STEALTH 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, ADP and STEALTH split the 6 ratings 3–3.
  • ADP
  • STEALTH
  • Other ranked manufacturers
ADPSTEALTH

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingADPSTEALTH
Efficiency index49%median —54%median —
COP at 5°F35%median 1.8653%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F86% (higher)median 96%59% (higher)median 78%
HSPF251%median 8.559%median 9.0
SEER237%median 15.262%median 18.0
EER243% (higher)median 11.039% (higher)median 11.3
Heating capacity at 5°F84% (higher)median 33,000 Btu/h62% (higher)median 24,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models1511
AHRI certifications25911

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardADPSTEALTH
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)26.7%4 models72.7%8 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)26.7%4 models72.7%8 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)6.7%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)86.7%13 models63.6%7 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge6.7%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models0%0 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 · 4 groups where both have models
  • ADP
  • STEALTH
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeADPSTEALTH
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons3 · index 45%1 · index 47%
Ducted, 2 tons4 · index 44%1 · index 37%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 43%2 · index 42%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons5 · index 58%2 · index 51%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone1 · index 60%
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone1 · index 72%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone3 · index 62%

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 typeADPCold-climate score, best modelSTEALTHCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler V36H***P12*+TXV+TD2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21735089949.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-18-AH-E-321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218729456
Ducted, 2 tons68.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXB241Awith ducted air handler FE*G32*30+TXV5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21773011745.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-24-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-24-AH-E-321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218729457
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons54.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSXB361Awith ducted air handler FC*G32*36+TXV+TD3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217730111None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSXA482Awith ducted air handler HG48*60+TXV+TD5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21719871072.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AC-48-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-48-AH-E-322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218729460
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18Z-E-M21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218729439
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-24Z-E-M31 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218729440
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-42Z-E-M53 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218729443

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 typeADPAll-around score, best modelSTEALTHAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons44.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler V36H***P12*+TXV+TD2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21735089947.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AC-18-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-18-AH-E-321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729456
Ducted, 2 tons53.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXB241Awith ducted air handler FE*G32*30+TXV4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21773011737.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-24-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-24-AH-E-321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729457
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons53.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXA361Awith ducted air handler V36H175P15*+TXV+TD4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21735090942.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-36-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-36-AH-E-322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729459
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXA422Awith ducted air handler HG48*60+TXV+TD5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21719870853.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-48-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-48-AH-E-322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729460
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class59.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18Z-E-M21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729439
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class71.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-24Z-E-M31 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729440
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class66.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-30Z-E-M43 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729441

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
RatingADPSTEALTH
COP at 5°Fbeats 77% · 2.12KUSXB241ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 69% · 2.10AC-48-HP-E-32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 128%KUSXA301ADucted, 2 tonsbeats 79% · 90%AC-24Z-E-M3Non-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 73% · 9.1KUSXA482ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 69% · 9.0AC-48-HP-E-32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 50% · 16.0KUSXA422ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 79% · 23.0AC-24Z-E-M3Non-ducted, 2 tons
EER2beats 67% · 11.7KUSXA422ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 75% · 12.5AC-30Z-E-M4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 24,000 Btu/hKUSXB241ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 85% · 14,500 Btu/hAC-18Z-E-M2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons