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AIR MAX vs DENALI AIRE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR MAX scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. AIR MAX has 13 outdoor models, DENALI AIRE has 5 outdoor models. AIR MAX and DENALI AIRE 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 DENALI AIRE 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 MAX scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIR MAX
  • DENALI AIRE
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR MAXDENALI A…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIR MAXDENALI AIRE
Efficiency index54% (higher)median —52% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F53% (higher)median 2.0041% (higher)median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F55%median 78%60%median 80%
HSPF238%median 9.545%median 9.5
SEER256% (higher)median 21.055% (higher)median 22.0
EER263% (higher)median 12.056% (higher)median 12.3
Heating capacity at 5°F54% (higher)median 21,600 Btu/h52% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models135
AHRI certifications279

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR MAXDENALI AIRE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%13 models80%4 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%13 models80%4 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)7.7%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)84.6%11 models80%4 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge7.7%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate46.2%6 models80%4 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 · 3 groups where both have models
  • AIR MAX
  • DENALI AIRE
  • 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 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 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 MAXDENALI AIRE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1 · index 49%None
Ducted, 2 tons1 · index 55%None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 60%None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 67%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons5 · index 42%3 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 61%1 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 55%1 · index 16%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 53%None

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 modelDENALI AIRECold-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 218396976No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218396979No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons52.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH36-H22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218396985No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons55.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH42-H22 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396967No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons61.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H25 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21839697565.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)2DNMSHQCO18with ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW183 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216498648
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH24-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21839697854.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)2DNMSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW24-21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217747133
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH36-H23 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396984None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH42-H22 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396966No models in this size class

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 modelDENALI AIREAll-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 218396976No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons54.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396979No models in this size class
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 218396982No models in this size class
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 218396967No models in this size class
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 21839697570.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)2DNMSHQCO9Awith ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW9A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216498644
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH24-H22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839697861.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)2DNMSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW24-21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747133
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH30-H23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839698116.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)2DNMSHQCO36with ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW361 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747135
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 218396966No models in this size class

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 MAXDENALI AIRE
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.20AFMKH60-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 51% · 2.002DNMSHQCO24Non-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 81% · 100%AFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 87% · 100%2DNMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 69% · 10.0AFMKH24-H2Non-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 64% · 10.02DNMSHQCO9ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 85% · 19.0AFMKH60-H2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 67% · 22.52DNMSHQCO24Non-ducted, 2 tons
EER2beats 94% · 13.0AFMKH42-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 85% · 14.12DNMSHQCO9ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 86% · 36,000 Btu/hAFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 93% · 18,000 Btu/h2DNMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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