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AIR MAX vs NATIONAL heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR MAX scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. AIR MAX has 13 outdoor models, NATIONAL has 13 outdoor models. AIR MAX and NATIONAL 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 NATIONAL 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 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIR MAX
  • NATIONAL
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR MAXNATIONAL

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIR MAXNATIONAL
Efficiency index54% (higher)median —25% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F53% (higher)median 2.0035% (higher)median 1.87
Capacity retention at 5°F55% (higher)median 78%16% (higher)median 53%
HSPF238% (higher)median 9.512% (higher)median 7.2
SEER256% (higher)median 21.05% (higher)median 13.0
EER263% (higher)median 12.035% (higher)median 11.3
Heating capacity at 5°F54% (higher)median 21,600 Btu/h27% (higher)median 10,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models1313
AHRI certifications2727

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR MAXNATIONAL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%13 models0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%13 models0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)7.7%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)84.6%11 models0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge7.7%1 models0%0 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 · 3 groups where both have models
  • AIR MAX
  • NATIONAL
  • 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 MAXNATIONAL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1 · index 49%6 · index 27%
Ducted, 2 tons1 · index 55%6 · index 22%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 60%1 · index 26%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 67%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons5 · index 42%None
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 61%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 55%None
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 modelNATIONALCold-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 218396976None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218396979None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons52.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH36-H22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218396985None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
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 218396975No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218396978No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH36-H23 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396984No models in this size class
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 modelNATIONALAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH18-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839697629.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)NHP5185000Awith ducted air handler L(E,F)W36CJ3 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217550292
Ducted, 2 tons54.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839697926.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FCH524***A3 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217754336
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH30-H22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21839698225.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)FCH530***A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217754337
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 218396975No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396978No models in this size class
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 218396981No models in this size class
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 MAXNATIONAL
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.20AFMKH60-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 73% · 2.07NHP5183000ADucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 81% · 100%AFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 19% · 54%NHP5245000ADucted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 69% · 10.0AFMKH24-H2Non-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 27% · 7.5FCH530***ADucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 85% · 19.0AFMKH60-H2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 21% · 14.3FCH518***ADucted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 94% · 13.0AFMKH42-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 65% · 12.0FCH518***ADucted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 86% · 36,000 Btu/hAFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 58% · 10,900 Btu/hNHP5243000ADucted, up to 1.5 tons

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