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AIRSTAR vs CAAIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIRSTAR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. AIRSTAR has 3 outdoor models, CAAIR has 3 outdoor models. AIRSTAR and CAAIR 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.
AIRSTAR and CAAIR 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, AIRSTAR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIRSTAR
  • CAAIR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIRSTARCAAIR

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIRSTARCAAIR
Efficiency index60%median ——median —
COP at 5°F34%median 1.8066%median 2.08
Capacity retention at 5°F53%median 75%—median —
HSPF258% (higher)median 9.517% (higher)median 8.5
SEER273% (higher)median 23.020% (higher)median 19.0
EER273% (higher)median 13.018% (higher)median 10.5
Heating capacity at 5°F59% (higher)median 9,000 Btu/h0% (higher)median 3,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models33
AHRI certifications33

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIRSTARCAAIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%3 models0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%3 models0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%3 models0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 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 · 1 groups where both have models
  • AIRSTAR
  • CAAIR
  • All models of the group
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 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 typeAIRSTARCAAIR
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons3 · index 60%3 · index —

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 typeAIRSTARCold-climate score, best modelCAAIRCold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCL18C25M3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217727836None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)

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 typeAIRSTARAll-around score, best modelCAAIRAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCL18C25M3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217727836None on this board (0 of 3 models have all five ratings)

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
RatingAIRSTARCAAIR
COP at 5°Fbeats 63% · 2.00TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 85% · 2.20ASW-2-JL18KNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 61% · 80%TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons—
HSPF2beats 79% · 10.5TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 29% · 9.0ASW-2-JL18KNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 75% · 24.0TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 30% · 20.0ASW-3-JL12KNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 70% · 13.0TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 28% · 11.0ASW-3-JL12KNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 88% · 16,000 Btu/hTCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 0% · 3,600 Btu/hASW-2-JL18KNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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