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AIR TECH vs Buck Cool: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR TECH model beats 60% and a typical Buck Cool model 55%. AIR TECH rates slightly higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

AIR TECH

60%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

5 models listed

Buck Cool

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

5 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 TECH: Beats 58%Buck Cool: Beats 60%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR TECH: Beats 59%Buck Cool: Beats 70%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR TECH: Beats 37%Buck Cool: Beats 33%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR TECH: Beats 84%Buck Cool: Beats 43%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR TECH: Beats 53%Buck Cool: Beats 48%

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 TECH
    100%
    Buck Cool
    80%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR TECH
    100%
    Buck Cool
    80%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR TECH
    0%
    Buck Cool
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR TECH
    0%
    Buck Cool
    60%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

AIR TECH

  1. 1ATVO36NGUG2AIR TECH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 62.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    67.0score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 72

Buck Cool

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from Buck Cool.

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