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AIR TECH vs Classic America: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR TECH model beats 70% and a typical Classic America model 32%. AIR TECH rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

AIR TECH

70%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

13 models listed

Classic America

32%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

9 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 57%Classic America: Beats 33%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR TECH: Beats 75%Classic America: Beats 22%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR TECH: Beats 67%Classic America: Beats 43%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR TECH: Beats 83%Classic America: Beats 38%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR TECH: Beats 64%Classic America: Beats 27%

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
    92%
    Classic America
    44%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR TECH
    92%
    Classic America
    44%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR TECH
    8%
    Classic America
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR TECH
    0%
    Classic America
    44%

All-around best, ductless 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR TECH

  1. 1ATMO36AXR32AIR TECH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    78.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 83
  2. 2ATVO36GRR32AIR TECH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    23.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    75.1score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 93

Classic America

  1. 1MZR454-27CHA2-OClassic America2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    65.1score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 73
  2. 2MZR454-36CHA2-OClassic America3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 52.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    51.1score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 50
  3. 3MSCR32-35CHSA2-Owith ductless indoor unit MSCR32-35CHSA2-IClassic America3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    51% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    7.6score / 100Heating 7 · Cooling 8

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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