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AI AIR CONDITIONING vs ECO AC: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AI AIR CONDITIONING model beats 62% and a typical ECO AC model 59%. AI AIR CONDITIONING rates slightly higher overall.

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

AI AIR CONDITIONING

62%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

55 models listed

ECO AC

59%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

22 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°FAI AIR CONDITIONING: Beats 62%ECO AC: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAI AIR CONDITIONING: Beats 62%ECO AC: Beats 68%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AI AIR CONDITIONING: Beats 74%ECO AC: Beats 47%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AI AIR CONDITIONING: Beats 62%ECO AC: Beats 64%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AI AIR CONDITIONING: Beats 57%ECO AC: Beats 68%

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

    AI AIR CONDITIONING
    89%
    ECO AC
    96%
  • Xcel CC

    AI AIR CONDITIONING
    80%
    ECO AC
    96%
  • CEE Advanced

    AI AIR CONDITIONING
    4%
    ECO AC
    14%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AI AIR CONDITIONING
    82%
    ECO AC
    100%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

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

AI AIR CONDITIONING

  1. 1AO25-06N2-M1Hwith ducted air handler AL-06N2-M1AI AIR CONDITIONING0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 93.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.41 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    95.0score / 100Heating 94 · Cooling 97
  2. 2AO25-09N2-M1Hwith ducted air handler AL-09N2-M1AI AIR CONDITIONING1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    112% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 94
  3. 3AO24-09N2-M1with ducted air handler AH-09N2-M1AI AIR CONDITIONING1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.8score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 80

ECO AC

  1. 1EMH-2O18KBBECO AC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 39.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    48.6score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 58

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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