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Antarctic Star vs Classic America: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Antarctic Star model beats 34% and a typical Classic America model 32%. Antarctic Star rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Antarctic Star

34%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

9 models listed

Classic America

32%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

9 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°FAntarctic Star: Beats 62%Classic America: Beats 33%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAntarctic Star: Beats 26%Classic America: Beats 22%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Antarctic Star: Beats 25%Classic America: Beats 43%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Antarctic Star: Beats 38%Classic America: Beats 38%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Antarctic Star: Beats 22%Classic America: Beats 27%

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

    Antarctic Star
    78%
    Classic America
    44%

  • Xcel CC

    Antarctic Star
    44%
    Classic America
    44%

  • CEE Advanced

    Antarctic Star
    0%
    Classic America
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Antarctic Star
    0%
    Classic America
    44%

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?

Antarctic Star

  1. 1SE7203P-9Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203S-9KAntarctic StarAlso listed as SE7203PW-9K-ZAZ1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 47.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    39.5score / 100Heating 47 · Cooling 32
  2. 2A7201P-12K-ELwith ductless indoor unit A7201S-12K-ELAntarctic StarAlso listed as A7201PW-12K-EL, A7201PW-12K-ZAZ1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    37.8score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 37
  3. 3SE7203S-18Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203P-18KAntarctic StarAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZ1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 42.2Meets 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
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    33.4score / 100Heating 42 · Cooling 25

Classic America

  1. 1MZR454-18CHA2-OClassic America1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.6Meets 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
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    72.2score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 76
  2. 2MSCR32-12CHSA1-Owith ductless indoor unit MSCR32-12CHSA1-IClassic America1 ton · 11,500 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 69% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    22.1score / 100Heating 36 · Cooling 8
  3. 3MSCR32-17CHSA2-Owith ductless indoor unit MSCR32-17CHSA2-IClassic America1.5 tons · 17,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 57% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    9.5score / 100Heating 11 · Cooling 8

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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