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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, ductless up to 1.5 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 Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR-CON

  1. 1ASGCI8H4M18with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M18AIR-CON1.5 tons · 16,800 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    2.19 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    68.2score / 100

ZERO

  1. 1ZMSB-09HV-USHHR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-09HV-USHHR2-IZERO1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.33 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    85.9score / 100
  2. 2ZMSB-18HV-USHHCR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-18HV-USHHCR2-IZERO1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.3score / 100
  3. 3ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-IZERO1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.35 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    73.1score / 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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