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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AI AIR CONDITIONING

  1. 1AO25-06N2-M1Hwith ducted air handler AL-06N2-M1AI AIR CONDITIONING0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 98% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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%
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    93.5score / 100
  2. 2AUO19-18N2-M3Hwith ducted air handler AUE-18N2-MM3EAI AIR CONDITIONING1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100
  3. 3AO25-18N2-M1Hwith ducted air handler AH-18N2-M1AI AIR CONDITIONING1.5 tons · 17,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.3score / 100

ECO AC

  1. 1EMH-2O18KBBECO AC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    39.3score / 100

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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