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AIR MAX vs AIR TECH heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR TECH scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AIR MAX has 7 outdoor models, AIR TECH has 5 outdoor models. AIR MAX and AIR TECH 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 MAX and AIR TECH 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 TECH scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIR MAX
  • AIR TECH
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR MAXAIR TECH

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIR MAXAIR TECH
Efficiency index45%median —60%median —
COP at 5°F28%median 1.8058%median 2.10
Capacity retention at 5°F60% (higher)median 73%59% (higher)median 70%
HSPF217%median 8.537%median 9.0
SEER246%median 20.084%median 23.0
EER249%median 11.353%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F52%median 12,000 Btu/h60%median 25,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models75
AHRI certifications711

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR MAXAIR TECH
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%4 models100%5 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%4 models100%5 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)42.9%3 models100%5 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models0%0 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 · 2 groups where both have models
  • AIR MAX
  • AIR TECH
  • All models of the group
Ducted, 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 MAXAIR TECH
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone1 · index 67%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone1 · index 56%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 54%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 49%2 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 2 tons1 · index 25%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 48%1 · index 77%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone1 · index 69%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 50%

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 MAXCold-climate score, best modelAIR TECHCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class62.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO36NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056552
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class52.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO48NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056549
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class55.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056547
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons50.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AWGYC12-C2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H24 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20575835946.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATSO12NAMG2with ductless indoor unit ATSW12NAMG22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 214010063
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21133020565.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATVO36NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056553
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO48NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056550
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class36.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056546

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 MAXAll-around score, best modelAIR TECHAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class67.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO36NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056552
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class56.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO48NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056549
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class53.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056547
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons68.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AWGYC12-C2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H24 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20575835956.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATSO12NAMG2with ductless indoor unit ATSW12NAMG22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214010063
Non-ducted, 2 tons25.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGSC24-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGSE24-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204517336No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons47.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21133020577.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATVO36NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056553
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO48NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056550
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class49.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056546

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 MAXAIR TECH
COP at 5°Fbeats 53% · 1.85AWGYC36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 2.40ATVO36NGUG2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 78% · 98%AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 88% · 70%ATVO60NGUG2Ducted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2beats 25% · 8.5AWGYC36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 49% · 8.1ATVO48NGUG2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 83% · 24.0AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 86% · 17.0ATVO60NGUG2Ducted, 5 tons and up
EER2beats 85% · 14.0AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 93% · 13.0ATVO36NGUG2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 69% · 12,000 Btu/hAWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 93% · 42,000 Btu/hATVO60NGUG2Ducted, 5 tons and up

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