Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

AIR-CON vs CLASSIC heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR-CON scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AIR-CON has 65 outdoor models, CLASSIC has 32 outdoor models. AIR-CON and CLASSIC have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

CompareData as of updated · 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-CON and CLASSIC 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-CON scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIR-CON
  • CLASSIC
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR-CONCLASSIC

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIR-CONCLASSIC
Efficiency index55% (higher)median —52% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F47% (higher)median 1.8741% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F52% (higher)median 74%42% (higher)median 70%
HSPF246%median 8.851%median 9.0
SEER254% (higher)median 19.052% (higher)median 20.0
EER250% (higher)median 11.549% (higher)median 11.5
Heating capacity at 5°F50% (higher)median 15,500 Btu/h45% (higher)median 13,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models6532
AHRI certifications8748

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR-CONCLASSIC
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)55.4%36 models56.3%18 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)55.4%36 models56.3%18 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)49.2%32 models40.6%13 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate38.5%25 models12.5%4 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • AIR-CON
  • CLASSIC
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.1032 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeAIR-CONCLASSIC
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons5 · index 49%3 · index 66%
Ducted, 2 tons6 · index 53%1 · index 85%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons9 · index 56%3 · index 57%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons11 · index 55%2 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 52%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons27 · index 61%14 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 2 tons9 · index 52%3 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons8 · index 46%12 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 53%3 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 36%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 typeAIR-CONCold-climate score, best modelCLASSICCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons51.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASLCI4H4S09with ducted air handler ASLEK4H4S093 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 20512951667.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC12ASwith ducted air handler MFCHC12S2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 209843001
Ducted, 2 tons64.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASLCI4H4S24with ducted air handler ASLEK4H4S243 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 20512952282.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC24ASwith ducted air handler MFCHC24S1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 209843003
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASLCI4H4S36with ducted air handler ASLEK4H4S364 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 205150424None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons62.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)APIV4H4R044 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 215493894None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASLCI4H4S09with ductless indoor unit ASLEC4H4S0919 of 27 models qualify · AHRI 20512951557.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC18AS29 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 209843033
Non-ducted, 2 tons68.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASLCI4H4S24with ductless indoor unit ASLEC4H4S244 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 20512952174.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC24ASwith ductless indoor unit MUVHC24S2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 209843008
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASLCI4H4S36with ductless indoor unit ASLEC4H4S362 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 20515042349.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC27AS32 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 209843036
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AMSCI4H4S421 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 20515042656.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC48ASwith ductless indoor unit MUVHC48S2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 209843010
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)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 typeAIR-CONAll-around score, best modelCLASSICAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons55.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASLCI4H4S09with ducted air handler ASLEK4H4S094 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20512951678.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC18ASwith ducted air handler MFCHC18S3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209843002
Ducted, 2 tons72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AMSCI4H4S244 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20446279884.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC24ASwith ducted air handler MFCHC24S1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209843003
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AMSCI4H4S366 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20446279975.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC27AS33 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209843037
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)APIV4H4R046 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21549389463.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC48AS52 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209843043
Ducted, 5 tons and up51.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH4H6C60KN-AE1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746273No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons84.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ABZCI4H4S09with ductless indoor unit ABZEM4H4S0921 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 1027250071.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MRSVHC12ASwith ductless indoor unit MC4VHC12S14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209842996
Non-ducted, 2 tons71.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AMSCI4H4S247 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20446279472.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC24ASwith ductless indoor unit MUVHC24S2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209843008
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons68.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AMSCI4H4S365 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20446279566.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC27AS36 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209843036
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons61.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CH4H6C48KN-AE2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574626951.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC48AS52 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209843042
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up36.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH4H6C60KN-AE1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746270No 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
RatingAIR-CONCLASSIC
COP at 5°Fbeats 97% · 2.30CH4H6C36KN-AENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 91% · 2.27MRSVHC12ASNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 97% · 98%APIV4H4R04Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 59% · 68%MRSVHC48ASDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2beats 83% · 9.5ASLCI4H4S36Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 11.2MRSVHC24ASDucted, 2 tons
SEER2beats 96% · 27.5ABZCI4H4S09Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 21.0MMRSHC27AS3Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 93% · 15.5ABZCI4H4S09Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 85% · 12.5MRSVHC24ASDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 92% · 18,000 Btu/hAMSCI4H4S18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 85% · 14,000 Btu/hMMRSHC18AS2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers