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AIR-CON vs ZERO: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR-CON model beats 45% and a typical ZERO model 53%. ZERO rates 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

ZERO

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

119 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%ZERO: Beats 45%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR-CON: Beats 33%ZERO: Beats 52%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR-CON: Beats 45%ZERO: Beats 57%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR-CON: Beats 43%ZERO: Beats 58%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR-CON: Beats 39%ZERO: Beats 48%

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%
    ZERO
    71%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR-CON
    34%
    ZERO
    65%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR-CON
    0%
    ZERO
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR-CON
    0%
    ZERO
    53%

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-CON

  1. 1AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R48-SAIR-CON4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.18 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    77.8score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 83
  2. 2AVDCI7H4T48with ducted air handler AVDEM7H4T48AIR-CON4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.2Meets 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
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    72.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 73
  3. 3AVPI7H4T48AIR-CON4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.2 (EER2)
    Good
    65.1score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 66

ZERO

  1. 1Z4SOV-48HDMB-USZEROAlso listed as Z6SOV-48HDMB-US4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.1score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 92
  2. 2Z4SOV-48HDMB-USHHZERO4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR 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
  3. 3Z4SOV-53HDMB-USHHZERO4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR 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

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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