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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, ductless 2 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIRTEMP

  1. 1DXH24PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH24PUK3IHAIRTEMP2 tons · 22,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 50.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.7 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    72.2score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 94
  2. 2DXH24FMK3IHAIRTEMP2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 67.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.3 (EER2)
    Great
    67.6score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 68
  3. 3DXH24ESK3ILwith ductless indoor unit DHH24ESK3ILAIRTEMP2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 13.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (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
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.9 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    24.3score / 100Heating 13 · Cooling 36

ZEPHYR

  1. 1ZE-24CB25Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-24CB25AIZEPHYR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 54.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    61.3score / 100Heating 54 · Cooling 68
  2. 2ZE-24CB22Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-24CB22AIZEPHYR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 38.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.98 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.6 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    34.1score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 29

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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