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AIR TECH vs Buck Cool heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR TECH scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. AIR TECH has 5 outdoor models, Buck Cool has 5 outdoor models. AIR TECH and Buck Cool 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 TECH and Buck Cool 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 TECH scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIR TECH
  • Buck Cool
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR TECHBuck Cool

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIR TECHBuck Cool
Efficiency index60% (higher)median —55% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F58%median 2.1060%median 1.98
Capacity retention at 5°F59%median 70%70%median 81%
HSPF237% (higher)median 9.033% (higher)median 8.6
SEER284% (higher)median 23.043% (higher)median 20.5
EER253% (higher)median 12.548% (higher)median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F60% (higher)median 25,200 Btu/h55% (higher)median 11,715 Btu/h
Outdoor models55
AHRI certifications115

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR TECHBuck Cool
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%5 models80%4 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%5 models80%4 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%5 models80%4 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models60%3 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 · 2 groups where both have models
  • AIR TECH
  • Buck Cool
  • All models of the group
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.1032 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 TECHBuck Cool
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 67%None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 56%None
Ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 54%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons2 · index 53%3 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 77%1 · index —
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 69%None
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 50%None
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone1 · index 59%

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 TECHCold-climate score, best modelBuck CoolCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons62.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO36NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056552No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons52.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO48NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056549No models in this size class
Ducted, 5 tons and up55.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056547No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons46.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATSO12NAMG2with ductless indoor unit ATSW12NAMG22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21401006362.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UB1MSHQCO09with ductless indoor unit UB1MSHQCW093 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 208287570
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class64.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)UB1MSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit UB1MSHQCW241 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208287576
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons65.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO36NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056553None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO48NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056550No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up36.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60NGUG21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214056546No 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 TECHAll-around score, best modelBuck CoolAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons67.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO36NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056552No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons56.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO48NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056549No models in this size class
Ducted, 5 tons and up53.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056547No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons56.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATSO12NAMG2with ductless indoor unit ATSW12NAMG22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21401006356.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)UB1MSHQCO18with ductless indoor unit UB1MSHQCW183 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208287574
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class58.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)UB1MSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit UB1MSHQCW241 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208287576
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO36NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056553None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO48NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056550No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up49.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60NGUG21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214056546No 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 TECHBuck Cool
COP at 5°Fbeats 98% · 2.40ATVO36NGUG2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 81% · 2.13UB1MSHQCO24Non-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 88% · 70%ATVO60NGUG2Ducted, 5 tons and upbeats 69% · 89%UB1MSHQCO24Non-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 49% · 8.1ATVO48NGUG2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 57% · 9.5UB1MSHQCO12Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 86% · 17.0ATVO60NGUG2Ducted, 5 tons and upbeats 67% · 22.5UB1MSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 93% · 13.0ATVO36NGUG2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 68% · 13.0UB1MSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 93% · 42,000 Btu/hATVO60NGUG2Ducted, 5 tons and upbeats 83% · 13,770 Btu/hUB1MSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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