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AIR TECH vs PRIME heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR TECH scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. AIR TECH has 13 outdoor models, PRIME has 18 outdoor models. AIR TECH and PRIME 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 PRIME 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 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIR TECH
  • PRIME
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR TECHPRIME

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIR TECHPRIME
Efficiency index70% (higher)median —20% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F57% (higher)median 2.0044% (higher)median 1.95
Capacity retention at 5°F75% (higher)median 96%15% (higher)median 61%
HSPF267% (higher)median 9.521% (higher)median 8.2
SEER283% (higher)median 22.018% (higher)median 17.0
EER264% (higher)median 11.632% (higher)median 10.3
Heating capacity at 5°F78% (higher)median 33,000 Btu/h26% (higher)median 9,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models1318
AHRI certifications2718

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR TECHPRIME
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)92.3%12 models11.1%2 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)92.3%12 models11.1%2 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)7.7%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)92.3%12 models11.1%2 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge7.7%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models0%0 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 · 7 groups where both have models
  • AIR TECH
  • PRIME
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 TECHPRIME
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2 · index 69%1 · index —
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index 67%1 · index —
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 69%2 · index —
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · index 67%3 · index —
Ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 56%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1 · index 74%6 · index 23%
Non-ducted, 2 tons1 · index 85%2 · index 18%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 77%3 · index 8%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 71%None
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 69%None

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 modelPRIMECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons74.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO18AXR322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217489302None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons63.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO24AXR322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217489303None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATCO36AXR32with ducted air handler ATCD36AXR324 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217221446None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO42AXR324 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217489305None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and up65.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60GRR321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218618846No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO18AXR321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21748929842.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN182-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN182-W12 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217747236
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO24AXR321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217489299None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO36AXR322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217489300None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons59.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO42AXR322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217489309No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up53.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60GRR321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218618845No 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 modelPRIMEAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons79.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO18AXR322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489302None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2 tons78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO24AXR322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489303None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons81.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO36AXR324 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489304None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons87.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO42AXR324 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489305None on this board (0 of 3 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 5 tons and up55.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60GRR321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218618846No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO18AXR321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21748929838.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN121-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN121-W16 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747235
Non-ducted, 2 tons85.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO24AXR321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21748929923.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN242-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN242-W12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747228
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ATMO36AXR322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 2174893007.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN362-V1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN362-V11 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216505870
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons74.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATMO42AXR322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217489309No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up68.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ATVO60GRR321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218618845No 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 TECHPRIME
COP at 5°Fbeats 99% · 2.40ATVO36GRR32Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 2.21CMPRN362-W1Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 98% · 108%ATMO24AXR32Non-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 44% · 74%CMPRN122-W1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 96% · 11.0ATMO36AXR32Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 45% · 9.5CMPRN121-V1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 100% · 22.0ATMO42AXR32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 56% · 22.0CMPRN121-W1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 99% · 14.5ATVO36GRR32Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 74% · 12.0CMPRN302-ADucted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 99% · 21,800 Btu/hATMO18AXR32Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 73% · 12,600 Btu/hCMPRN182-W1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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