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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%

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

ZERO

  1. 1Z4SOV-48HDMB-USHHZERO4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.7score / 100
  2. 2Z4SOV-53HDMB-USHHZERO4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 87% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.2score / 100
  3. 3Z4SOV-48HDMB-USZEROAlso listed as Z6SOV-48HDMB-US4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    77.9score / 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.

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