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AIR MAX vs DENALI AIRE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR MAX model beats 45% and a typical DENALI AIRE model 55%. DENALI AIRE rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

AIR MAX

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

7 models listed

DENALI AIRE

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

7 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 MAX: Beats 28%DENALI AIRE: Beats 60%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR MAX: Beats 60%DENALI AIRE: Beats 70%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR MAX: Beats 17%DENALI AIRE: Beats 25%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR MAX: Beats 46%DENALI AIRE: Beats 33%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR MAX: Beats 49%DENALI AIRE: Beats 36%

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 MAX
    57%
    DENALI AIRE
    57%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR MAX
    43%
    DENALI AIRE
    57%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR MAX
    0%
    DENALI AIRE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR MAX
    0%
    DENALI AIRE
    43%

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 MAX

  1. 1AWGYC12-C2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2AIR MAXAlso listed as AWGYC12-H21 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 98% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    50.5score / 100
  2. 2AWGXC12-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGXE12-H2AIR MAX1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 73% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    24.7score / 100
  3. 3AWGXC12-H1with ductless indoor unit AWGXE12-H1AIR MAX1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    23.9score / 100

DENALI AIRE

  1. 1DNMSHQCO9Awith ductless indoor unit DNMSHQCW9ADENALI AIRE1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    62.1score / 100
  2. 2DNMSHQCO12Awith ductless indoor unit DNMSHQCW12ADENALI AIRE1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    55.9score / 100
  3. 3DNMSHQCO18with ductless indoor unit DNMSHQCW18DENALI AIRE1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.87 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    43.2score / 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.

Open the advanced view