AIR MAX vs OUTES: heat pump ratings compared
Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR MAX model beats 54% and a typical OUTES model 65%. OUTES 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 average13 models listed
OUTES
65%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
Well above average20 models listed
- Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FAIR MAX: Beats 53%OUTES: Beats 65%
- Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR MAX: Beats 55%OUTES: Beats 65%
- Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR MAX: Beats 38%OUTES: Beats 38%
- Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR MAX: Beats 56%OUTES: Beats 37%
- Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR MAX: Beats 63%OUTES: Beats 50%
Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison
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Rebate standards
CEE 2025
- AIR MAX
- 100%
- OUTES
- 30%
Xcel CC
- AIR MAX
- 85%
- OUTES
- 30%
CEE Advanced
- AIR MAX
- 8%
- OUTES
- 0%
ENERGY STAR CC
- AIR MAX
- 46%
- OUTES
- 30%
All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons
Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.
Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?
AIR MAX
- 1AFMKH42-H2AIR MAX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.90 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 8.1 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 2AFMKH60-H2AIR MAX4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 56% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 56% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Below the middle
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.30 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 8.0 (HSPF2)
- Below the middle
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
- 3AFMKH48-H2AIR MAX4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 50.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.90 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 8.1 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
OUTES
- 1OTD-H60DMR3-C01/SE180with ducted air handler OAH-C48DMR3-B02/SE180OUTES4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.30 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 9.2 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.5 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.5 (EER2)
- Good
- 2ORT-H48DEMR3-N01/SE180OUTES4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.10 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 9.1 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.5 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.2 (EER2)
- Good
- 3ORT-H60DEMR3-N01/SE180OUTES4.5 tons · 56,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 57.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 8.8 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 17.0 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 10.0 (EER2)
- Below the middle
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.
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