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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, 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

PRIME

  1. 1CMPRN362-V1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN362-V1PRIME3 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.

Open the advanced view