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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 average

47 models listed

ZEPHYR

63%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

23 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%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

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%
    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 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIRTEMP

  1. 1UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IHAIRTEMP4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 85.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.1score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 87
  2. 2DXH42FMK3IHAIRTEMP3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (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)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.1score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 83
  3. 3VSH4BF5M2SX48Kwith indoor coil C75B(A,H)MX4860C*D and furnace VG7T(*)-V(*)D(*)AIRTEMP4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    56% (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)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    46.9score / 100Heating 30 · Cooling 64

ZEPHYR

  1. 1ZE-648HPAwith ducted air handler AH-648AZEPHYR4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.52 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    82.3score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 87
  2. 2ZE-542M525ZEPHYR3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 50.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.4 (EER2)
    Good
    59.2score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 68

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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