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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, ductless 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR C

  1. 1UE-H36M1PAIR C3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.3score / 100Heating 76 · Cooling 81
  2. 2UE-H24M1PAIR C2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 72.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    74.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 76

Legacy Systems

No ductless, 2.5–3 tons model from Legacy Systems.

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.

Open the advanced view