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AIRTEMP vs ELIOS: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIRTEMP model beats 36% and a typical ELIOS model 56%. ELIOS rates higher overall.

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

AIRTEMP

36%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

47 models listed

ELIOS

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

48 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°FAIRTEMP: Beats 25%ELIOS: Beats 57%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIRTEMP: Beats 37%ELIOS: Beats 53%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIRTEMP: Beats 30%ELIOS: Beats 65%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 35%ELIOS: Beats 59%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 48%ELIOS: Beats 49%

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

    AIRTEMP
    43%
    ELIOS
    88%

  • Xcel CC

    AIRTEMP
    40%
    ELIOS
    81%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIRTEMP
    4%
    ELIOS
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIRTEMP
    26%
    ELIOS
    77%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIRTEMP

  1. 1DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IHAIRTEMP1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 62.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    78.0score / 100Heating 62 · Cooling 94
  2. 2DXH12PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH12PUK3IHAIRTEMP1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    67.7score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 78
  3. 3DXH18PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH18PUK3IHAIRTEMP1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 46.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.7 (EER2)
    Great
    64.3score / 100Heating 46 · Cooling 83

ELIOS

  1. 1ESHMA09C2AN1with ductless indoor unit EWHMA09C2AS1ELIOS1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 65.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    79.5score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 94
  2. 2ESHEA12C2AN1with ductless indoor unit GFHRA12C2AS1ELIOS1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 76.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.51 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.6 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.7 (EER2)
    Good
    75.8score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 75
  3. 3ESHEA09C2AN1with ductless indoor unit GKHRA09C2AS1ELIOS1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 80.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.17 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.6 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    14.3 (EER2)
    Great
    75.6score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 71

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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