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AIR-CON vs CLASSIC: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR-CON model beats 45% and a typical CLASSIC model 41%. AIR-CON rates slightly higher overall.

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

AIR-CON

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

41 models listed

CLASSIC

41%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

40 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-CON: Beats 57%CLASSIC: Beats 37%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR-CON: Beats 33%CLASSIC: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR-CON: Beats 45%CLASSIC: Beats 37%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR-CON: Beats 42%CLASSIC: Beats 45%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR-CON: Beats 39%CLASSIC: Beats 40%

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-CON
    44%
    CLASSIC
    65%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR-CON
    34%
    CLASSIC
    65%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR-CON
    0%
    CLASSIC
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR-CON
    0%
    CLASSIC
    20%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 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, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR-CON

  1. 1AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R60-SAIR-CON4.5 tons · 53,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 74% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.24 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    73.5score / 100
  2. 2AVDCI7H4T48with ducted air handler AVDEM7H4T48AIR-CON4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    72.2score / 100
  3. 3AVDCI7H4T60with ducted air handler AVDEM7H4T60AIR-CON4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 73% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    69.8score / 100

CLASSIC

  1. 1OCV18HN048Awith ducted air handler OCA18C006ACLASSICAlso listed as OCV18HN060A4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    72.2score / 100
  2. 2TMRHC42AS5CLASSIC3.5 tons · 39,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    63.6score / 100
  3. 3GMRSHC42AS5CLASSIC3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    55.7score / 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.

Open the advanced view