AIRTEMP vs ZEPHYR: heat pump ratings compared
Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIRTEMP model beats 36% and a typical ZEPHYR model 63%. ZEPHYR 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 average47 models listed
ZEPHYR
63%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
Well above average23 models listed
- Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FAIRTEMP: Beats 25%ZEPHYR: Beats 57%
- Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIRTEMP: Beats 37%ZEPHYR: Beats 64%
- Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIRTEMP: Beats 30%ZEPHYR: Beats 59%
- Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 35%ZEPHYR: Beats 67%
- Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 48%ZEPHYR: Beats 65%
Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison
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Rebate standards
CEE 2025
- AIRTEMP
- 43%
- ZEPHYR
- 100%
Xcel CC
- AIRTEMP
- 40%
- ZEPHYR
- 83%
CEE Advanced
- AIRTEMP
- 4%
- ZEPHYR
- 9%
ENERGY STAR CC
- AIRTEMP
- 26%
- ZEPHYR
- 74%
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). What size is my system?
AIRTEMP
- 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
- 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
- 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
ZEPHYR
- 1ZE-636HPAwith ducted air handler AH-636AZEPHYR2.5 tons · 32,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 87.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.15 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 10.5 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.5 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
- 2ZE-536M425ZEPHYR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 54.3Meets 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
- 1.80 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 9.0 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.9 (EER2)
- Top 10%
- 3ZE-527M325ZEPHYR2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 56.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.80 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 8.8 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.0 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.5 (EER2)
- Good
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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