AIR C vs airspool heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR C scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AIR C has 11 outdoor models, airspool has 11 outdoor models. AIR C and airspool have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · 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.

AIR C and airspool 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, AIR C scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

AIR C
airspool
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AIR C	airspool
Efficiency index	78% (higher)median —	66% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	60%median 2.00	76%median 2.10
Capacity retention at 5°F	85% (higher)median 100%	75% (higher)median 95%
HSPF2	88% (higher)median 10.9	72% (higher)median 10.0
SEER2	81% (higher)median 23.0	58% (higher)median 21.5
EER2	79% (higher)median 13.0	65% (higher)median 12.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	83% (higher)median 22,600 Btu/h	64% (higher)median 18,250 Btu/h
Outdoor models	11	11
AHRI certifications	21	11

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AIR C	airspool
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	90.9%10 models	72.7%8 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	90.9%10 models	72.7%8 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	100%11 models	72.7%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	72.7%8 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 · 3 groups where both have models

AIR C
airspool
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	AIR C	airspool
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 77%	None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 81%	None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 83%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	6 · index 80%	6 · index 64%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 77%	4 · index 67%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 76%	1 · index 71%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 68%	None

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	AIR CCold-climate score, best model	airspoolCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H18M1P1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215461325	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H36M1P2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215461336	No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H48M1P2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215461341	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UE-SH09S1Pwith ductless indoor unit UI-SH09MS1P5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215461312	82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DWLA4-ACDC1-12KR2(US)with ductless indoor unit DGLA4-ACDC1-12KR2(US)Also listed as DWLA4-12KR2(US)3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216770155
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UE-H24S1Pwith ductless indoor unit UI-H24MS1P1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215461321	84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)with ductless indoor unit DGLA3-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216770156
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UE-H36M1P2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215461338	71.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DW4E1-ACDC-36KR2(US)1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217958908
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H48M1P2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215461343	No models in this size class

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	AIR CAll-around score, best model	airspoolAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H18M1P1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461325	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	84.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H36M1P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461336	No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H48M1P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461341	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	92.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UE-SH09S1Pwith ductless indoor unit UI-SH09MS1P5 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461312	70.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DWLA4-ACDC1-12KR2(US)with ductless indoor unit DGLA4-ACDC1-12KR2(US)Also listed as DWLA4-12KR2(US)3 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216770155
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UE-H24S1Pwith ductless indoor unit UI-H24MS1P1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461321	72.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)with ductless indoor unit DGLA3-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216770156
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UE-H36M1P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461334	70.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DW4E1-ACDC-36KR2(US)1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217958908
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)UE-H48M1P2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215461339	No models in this size class

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	AIR C	airspool
COP at 5°F	beats 94% · 2.34UE-SH18S1PNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 2.23DW4E1-ACDC-36KR2(US)Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 96% · 113%UE-SH18S1PNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 116%DWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)Non-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 11.0UE-H48M1PDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 87% · 11.0DWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)Non-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 33.3UE-SH09S1PNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 84% · 25.0DWA4-09KR2(US)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 98% · 17.0UE-SH09S1PNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 87% · 14.5DWA4-09KR2(US)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 99% · 22,600 Btu/hUE-SH18S1PNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 81% · 22,000 Btu/hDWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)Non-ducted, 2 tons

More comparisons

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