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AIRTEMP vs ZEPHYR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ZEPHYR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. AIRTEMP has 47 outdoor models, ZEPHYR has 23 outdoor models. AIRTEMP and ZEPHYR have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
AIRTEMP and ZEPHYR on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, ZEPHYR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIRTEMP
  • ZEPHYR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIRTEMPZEPHYR

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIRTEMPZEPHYR
Efficiency index36%median —63%median —
COP at 5°F25%median 1.7557%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F37%median 51%64%median 80%
HSPF230%median 7.559%median 10.0
SEER235%median 14.367%median 22.0
EER248%median 11.065%median 12.3
Heating capacity at 5°F35%median 16,200 Btu/h57%median 13,400 Btu/h
Outdoor models4723
AHRI certifications14749

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIRTEMPZEPHYR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)42.6%20 models100%23 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)40.4%19 models95.7%22 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)4.3%2 models8.7%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)40.4%19 models82.6%19 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge4.3%2 models8.7%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate25.5%12 models73.9%17 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 9 groups where both have models
  • AIRTEMP
  • ZEPHYR
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeAIRTEMPZEPHYR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2 · index 34%1 · index 65%
Ducted, 2 tons7 · index 30%1 · index 80%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons11 · index 27%3 · index 71%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons14 · index 32%2 · index 71%
Ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 18%1 · index 81%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons9 · index 45%14 · index 62%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 55%2 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 52%2 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 68%1 · index 44%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeAIRTEMPCold-climate score, best modelZEPHYRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons39.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21574630066.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-518M2251 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216684162
Ducted, 2 tons49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21574630282.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-624HPAwith ducted air handler AH-624A1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215381145
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD36MSK3IH3 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 21713820387.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-636HPAwith ducted air handler AH-636A3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 215381146
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD60MSK3IH2 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 21713820577.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-648HPAwith ducted air handler AH-648A2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215381147
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)88.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-660HPAwith ducted air handler AH-660A1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215381148
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons62.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IH9 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 21601175589.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-09UB32Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-09UB32I10 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 217596868
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH24FMK3IH3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21574629654.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-24CB25Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-24CB25AI2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218046582
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH36FMK3IH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21574629853.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-536M4252 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216684171
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21574629916.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-542M5251 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216684168

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeAIRTEMPAll-around score, best modelZEPHYRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574630064.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-518M2251 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216684162
Ducted, 2 tons72.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD24MSK3IH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713820279.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-624HPAwith ducted air handler AH-624A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215381145
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574630382.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-636HPAwith ducted air handler AH-636A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215381146
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IH14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713820482.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-648HPAwith ducted air handler AH-648A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215381147
Ducted, 5 tons and up17.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RHPXYB060AJT1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21760814381.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-660HPAwith ducted air handler AH-660A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215381148
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IH9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21601175594.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZE-09UB32Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-09UB32I14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217596868
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH24PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH24PUK3IH3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21601175961.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-24CB25Owith ductless indoor unit ZE-24CB25AI2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218046582
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH30FMK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574629764.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-527M3252 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216684164
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574629943.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZE-542M5251 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216684168

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingAIRTEMPZEPHYR
COP at 5°Fbeats 88% · 2.10DXH36FMK3IHNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 100% · 2.53ZE-18CB22ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 114%UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 94% · 75%ZE-660HPADucted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2beats 90% · 10.5UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 96% · 10.5ZE-636HPADucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 97% · 26.0DXH24PSK3IHNon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 99% · 32.0ZE-09UB32ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 94% · 13.0DXH42FMK3IHNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 18.4ZE-09UB32ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hUXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 93% · 18,000 Btu/hZE-18CB25ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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