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AIR MAX vs UA United Appliances: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR MAX model beats 54% and a typical UA United Appliances model 40%. 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

UA United Appliances

40%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

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%UA United Appliances: Beats 29%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR MAX: Beats 55%UA United Appliances: Beats 41%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR MAX: Beats 38%UA United Appliances: Beats 55%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR MAX: Beats 56%UA United Appliances: Beats 53%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR MAX: Beats 63%UA United Appliances: Beats 24%

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%
    UA United Appliances
    54%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR MAX
    85%
    UA United Appliances
    62%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR MAX
    8%
    UA United Appliances
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR MAX
    46%
    UA United Appliances
    0%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR MAX

  1. 1AFMKH42-H2AIR MAX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 66.5Meets 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    67.7score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 69
  2. 2AFMKH48-H2AIR MAX4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 54.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    55.5score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 56
  3. 3AFMKH60-H2AIR MAX4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 58% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.8 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    36.3score / 100Heating 34 · Cooling 38

UA United Appliances

  1. 1UAUH42-DD6SG1/OUA United Appliances3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 33.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.2 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    49.6score / 100Heating 33 · Cooling 66

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