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AIR MAX vs NATIONAL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR MAX model beats 54% and a typical NATIONAL model 25%. AIR MAX rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

AIR MAX

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

13 models listed

NATIONAL

25%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

13 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 53%NATIONAL: Beats 35%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR MAX: Beats 55%NATIONAL: Beats 16%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR MAX: Beats 38%NATIONAL: Beats 12%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR MAX: Beats 56%NATIONAL: Beats 5%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR MAX: Beats 63%NATIONAL: Beats 35%

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
    100%
    NATIONAL
    0%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR MAX
    85%
    NATIONAL
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR MAX
    8%
    NATIONAL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR MAX
    46%
    NATIONAL
    0%

All-around best, ducted 2 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR MAX

  1. 1AFMKH24-H2AIR MAX2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    54.7score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 60

NATIONAL

  1. 1FCH524***ANATIONAL2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 47% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    48% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    26.4score / 100Heating 15 · Cooling 38
  2. 2NHP5245000Awith ducted air handler L(E,F)W36CJNATIONAL2 tons · 22,800 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 53% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    53% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.2 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    13.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    23.8score / 100Heating 24 · Cooling 24
  3. 3NHP5243000Awith ducted air handler L(E,F)W36CJNATIONAL2 tons · 21,400 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 55% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    56% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.87 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    6.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    12.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    14.7score / 100Heating 22 · Cooling 8

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