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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 6 of the 6 ratings. AIR MAX has 13 outdoor models, AIR TECH has 13 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 6 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 index54%median —70%median —
COP at 5°F53%median 2.0057%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F55%median 78%75%median 96%
HSPF238%median 9.567%median 9.5
SEER256%median 21.083%median 22.0
EER263%median 12.064%median 11.6
Heating capacity at 5°F54%median 21,600 Btu/h78%median 33,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models1313
AHRI certifications2727

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)100%13 models92.3%12 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%13 models92.3%12 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)7.7%1 models7.7%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)84.6%11 models92.3%12 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge7.7%1 models7.7%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate46.2%6 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • AIR MAX
  • AIR TECH
  • 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 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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, up to 1.5 tons1 · index 49%2 · index 69%
Ducted, 2 tons1 · index 55%2 · index 67%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 60%4 · index 69%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 67%4 · index 67%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 56%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons5 · index 42%1 · index 74%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 61%1 · index 85%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 55%2 · index 77%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 53%2 · index 71%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 69%

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, up to 1.5 tons39.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21839697674.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO18AXR322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217489302
Ducted, 2 tons49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21839697963.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO24AXR322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217489303
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons52.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH36-H22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21839698572.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATCO36AXR32with ducted air handler ATCD36AXR324 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217221446
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons55.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH42-H22 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21839696776.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO42AXR324 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217489305
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class65.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60GRR321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218618846
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons61.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H25 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21839697582.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO18AXR321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217489298
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21839697884.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO24AXR321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217489299
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH36-H23 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21839698473.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO36AXR322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217489300
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH42-H22 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21839696659.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO42AXR322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217489309
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class53.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60GRR321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218618845

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, up to 1.5 tons48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839697679.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO18AXR322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489302
Ducted, 2 tons54.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839697978.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO24AXR322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489303
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH30-H22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839698281.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO36AXR324 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489304
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons69.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH42-H23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839696787.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO42AXR324 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489305
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class55.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60GRR321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218618846
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons52.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H25 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839697574.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO18AXR321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489298
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839697885.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO24AXR321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489299
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH30-H23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839698178.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO36AXR322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489300
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH42-H23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839696674.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO42AXR322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489309
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class68.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60GRR321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218618845

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 96% · 2.20AFMKH60-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 2.40ATVO36GRR32Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 81% · 100%AFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 108%ATMO24AXR32Non-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 69% · 10.0AFMKH24-H2Non-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 96% · 11.0ATMO36AXR32Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 85% · 19.0AFMKH60-H2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 22.0ATMO42AXR32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 94% · 13.0AFMKH42-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 14.5ATVO36GRR32Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 86% · 36,000 Btu/hAFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 21,800 Btu/hATMO18AXR32Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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