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AIR-CON vs CLASSIC heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, CLASSIC scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. AIR-CON has 41 outdoor models, CLASSIC has 40 outdoor models. AIR-CON and CLASSIC have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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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, CLASSIC scores higher on 4 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 index45% (higher)median —41% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F57% (higher)median 2.0037% (higher)median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F33%median 70%43%median 74%
HSPF245% (higher)median 8.637% (higher)median 8.8
SEER243%median 17.045%median 19.0
EER239%median 11.440%median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F43%median 21,600 Btu/h47%median 11,750 Btu/h
Outdoor models4140
AHRI certifications6468

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR-CONCLASSIC
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)43.9%18 models65%26 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)36.6%15 models65%26 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models2.5%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)34.1%14 models65%26 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models2.5%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models20%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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • AIR-CON
  • CLASSIC
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 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 tons3 · index 78%2 · index 54%
Ducted, 2 tons4 · index 71%4 · index 61%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons10 · index 55%2 · index 56%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons14 · index 57%4 · index 70%
Ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 68%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons7 · index 20%23 · index 29%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 31%6 · index 35%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 57%5 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · index 32%2 · index 59%

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 tons69.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASGCI8H4M18with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M181 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21729158144.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMRHC18AS22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218787831
Ducted, 2 tons68.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVPI7H4T243 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21864449060.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)OCV18HN024Awith ducted air handler OCA18C002AAlso listed as OCV18HN036A4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217747068
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVPI7H4T362 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 21864449152.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC36AS42 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217284819
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R60-S6 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 21765582272.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)OCV18HN048Awith ducted air handler OCA18C006AAlso listed as OCV18HN060A4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217747074
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 tons68.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASGCI8H4M18with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M181 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21729158061.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMRHC18AS216 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 218787827
Non-ducted, 2 tons77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASGCI8H4M24with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M241 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21729158467.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC24AS34 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217284804
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons62.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M36with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M361 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21729158677.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GMRSHC36AS44 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217284815
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons55.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M48with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M481 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21729158966.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GMRSHC42AS52 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217284816

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 tons78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASGCI8H4M18with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M181 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21729158160.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMRHC18AS22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787831
Ducted, 2 tons73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVPI7H4T242 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21864449068.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)OCV18HN024Awith ducted air handler OCA18C002AAlso listed as OCV18HN036A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747068
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons59.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AASDCI7H4R30with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R30-S6 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21765582459.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC36AS42 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217284819
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons77.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R48-S8 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21765582572.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)OCV18HN048Awith ducted air handler OCA18C006AAlso listed as OCV18HN060A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747074
Ducted, 5 tons and up67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M60with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M601 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291590No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons59.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M187 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21729158262.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMRHC18AS223 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787827
Non-ducted, 2 tons69.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASGCI8H4M24with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M243 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21729158467.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC24AS36 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217284804
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons69.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CH7H6C36KN-AE2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21764303764.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC36AS45 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217284815
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH7H6C48KN-AE4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21764303867.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GMRSHC42AS52 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217284816

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 96% · 2.20CH7H6C48KN-AENon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 88% · 2.10GMRSHC36AS4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 96% · 103%AVPI7H4T24Ducted, 2 tonsbeats 81% · 100%GMRSHC36AS4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 94% · 9.7ASGCI8H4M60Ducted, 5 tons and upbeats 86% · 10.0TMRHC42AS5Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 94% · 24.0CH7H6C48KN-AENon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 97% · 22.0TMRHC18AS2Ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 97% · 14.0CH7H6C36KN-AENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 94% · 13.0GMRSHC42AS5Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 94% · 24,600 Btu/hAVPI7H4T24Ducted, 2 tonsbeats 86% · 36,000 Btu/hGMRSHC36AS4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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