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AIR TECH vs PRIME: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR TECH model beats 70% and a typical PRIME model 20%. 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

PRIME

20%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

18 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%PRIME: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR TECH: Beats 75%PRIME: Beats 15%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR TECH: Beats 67%PRIME: Beats 21%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR TECH: Beats 83%PRIME: Beats 18%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR TECH: Beats 64%PRIME: Beats 32%

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%
    PRIME
    11%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR TECH
    92%
    PRIME
    11%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR TECH
    8%
    PRIME
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR TECH
    0%
    PRIME
    0%

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. 1ATMO36AXR32AIR TECH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    81.2score / 100Heating 66 · Cooling 96
  2. 2ATVO36GRR32AIR TECH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.1Meets 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    73.9score / 100Heating 66 · Cooling 82
  3. 3ATCO30AXR32with ducted air handler ATCD30AXR32AIR TECH2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 63.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    107% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.82 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.6 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 61

PRIME

None of PRIME’s ducted, 2.5–3 tons models has all five ratings.

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