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AIR C vs Legacy Systems: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR C model beats 78% and a typical Legacy Systems model 44%. AIR C rates higher overall.

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

AIR C

78%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

11 models listed

Legacy Systems

44%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

11 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°FAIR C: Beats 60%Legacy Systems: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR C: Beats 85%Legacy Systems: Beats 17%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR C: Beats 88%Legacy Systems: Beats 32%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR C: Beats 81%Legacy Systems: Beats 31%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR C: Beats 79%Legacy Systems: Beats 87%

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

    AIR C
    91%
    Legacy Systems
    0%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR C
    100%
    Legacy Systems
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR C
    0%
    Legacy Systems
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR C
    0%
    Legacy Systems
    0%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR C

  1. 1UE-H48M1PAIR C4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    83.9score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2UE-H55M1PAIR C4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    82.0score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 83

Legacy Systems

  1. 1GLZS4BA6010A*with ducted air handler AMST60DU1300ALegacy Systems4.5 tons · 56,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 48% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    48% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    14.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    53.3score / 100Heating 43 · Cooling 64
  2. 2GLZS4BA4810A*with ducted air handler AMST48CU1300ALegacy Systems4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 43% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    43% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    52.5score / 100Heating 37 · Cooling 68
  3. 3GLZS4BA4210A*with ducted air handler AMST42CU1300ALegacy Systems3.5 tons · 40,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    51% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    50.3score / 100Heating 32 · Cooling 68

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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