AIR MAX vs ARMSCO heat pumps
Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR MAX scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AIR MAX has 7 outdoor models, ARMSCO has 7 outdoor models. AIR MAX and ARMSCO 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
- ARMSCO
- Other ranked manufacturers
Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of
| Rating | AIR MAX | ARMSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency index | 45% (higher)median — | 22% (higher)median — |
| COP at 5°F | 28% (higher)median 1.80 | 19% (higher)median 1.80 |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | 60% (higher)median 73% | 30% (higher)median 70% |
| HSPF2 | 17%median 8.5 | 19%median 8.5 |
| SEER2 | 46% (higher)median 20.0 | 27% (higher)median 19.0 |
| EER2 | 49% (higher)median 11.3 | 16% (higher)median 10.0 |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | 52% (higher)median 12,000 Btu/h | 32% (higher)median 8,600 Btu/h |
| Outdoor models | 7 | 7 |
| AHRI certifications | 7 | 7 |
Share of models meeting each standard
| Standard | AIR MAX | ARMSCO |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 57.1%4 models | 71.4%5 models |
| CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 57.1%4 models | 57.1%4 models |
| CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP) | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025) | 42.9%3 models | 57.1%4 models |
| DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | 0%0 models | 0%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.
- AIR MAX
- ARMSCO
- All models of the group
Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.
Source: AHRI Directory · as of
| Size and duct type | AIR MAX | ARMSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 4 · index 49% | 5 · index 21% |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 1 · index 25% | 1 · index 25% |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 2 · index 48% | 1 · index 23% |
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
| Size and duct type | AIR MAXCold-climate score, best model | ARMSCOCold-climate score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 50.5(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 205758359 | 28.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACMS122419AAwith ductless indoor unit ACMS122419AAAlso listed as ACMS122420AB4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 213829858 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211330205 | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) |
All-around best
| Size and duct type | AIR MAXAll-around score, best model | ARMSCOAll-around score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 68.1(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 205758359 | 23.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACMS122419AAwith ductless indoor unit ACMS122419AAAlso listed as ACMS122420AB5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213829858 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 25.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AWGSC24-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGSE24-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204517336 | 24.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACMS242420ABwith ductless indoor unit ACMS242420AB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213829862 |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 47.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AWGYC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211330205 | 23.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACMS362420ABwith ductless indoor unit ACMS362420AB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213829863 |
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.
| Rating | AIR MAX | ARMSCO |
|---|---|---|
| COP at 5°F | beats 53% · 1.85AWGYC36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | beats 26% · 1.80ACMS242420ABNon-ducted, 2 tons |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | beats 78% · 98%AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 46% · 70%ACMS122419AAAlso listed as ACMS122420ABNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| HSPF2 | beats 25% · 8.5AWGYC36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | beats 25% · 8.5ACMS362420ABNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| SEER2 | beats 83% · 24.0AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 35% · 19.0ACMS362420ABNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| EER2 | beats 85% · 14.0AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 25% · 10.0ACMS242420ABNon-ducted, 2 tons |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | beats 69% · 12,000 Btu/hAWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 61% · 11,600 Btu/hACMS182420ABNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |