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AIRTEMP vs Pioneer: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIRTEMP model beats 36% and a typical Pioneer model 47%. Pioneer 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

Pioneer

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

46 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%Pioneer: Beats 41%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIRTEMP: Beats 37%Pioneer: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIRTEMP: Beats 30%Pioneer: Beats 56%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 35%Pioneer: Beats 56%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 48%Pioneer: Beats 40%

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%
    Pioneer
    74%

  • Xcel CC

    AIRTEMP
    40%
    Pioneer
    70%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIRTEMP
    4%
    Pioneer
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIRTEMP
    26%
    Pioneer
    54%

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?

AIRTEMP

  1. 1DXH30FMK3IHAIRTEMP2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    61.6score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 75
  2. 2DXH36FMK3IHAIRTEMP3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 52.2Meets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    59.0score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 66
  3. 3VSH4BF5M2SX36Kwith ducted air handler B65VMMX3648K-CAIRTEMP3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 52% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    52% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.75 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    39.5score / 100Heating 27 · Cooling 52

Pioneer

  1. 1YN030GLSI24M3GPioneer2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.9score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 90
  2. 2YN040GLSI24M4GPioneer3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    63.6score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 79
  3. 3YN036GMSI20RUGwith ducted air handler RB036GMSILDFHGPioneer3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 64% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    64% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.0score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 47

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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