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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 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

ZEPHYR

  1. 1ZE-09UB32Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-09UB32IZEPHYR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.7Meets 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)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    32.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    94.5score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 99
  2. 2ZE-12UB32Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-12UB32IZEPHYR1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.7Meets 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)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    30.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    93.4score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 97
  3. 3ZE-15UB32Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-15UB32IZEPHYR1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 80.7Meets 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
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.6 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.7 (EER2)
    Great
    84.2score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 88

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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