Antarctic Star vs Classic America heat pumps
Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Antarctic Star scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. Antarctic Star has 9 outdoor models, Classic America has 9 outdoor models. Antarctic Star and Classic America 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.
- Antarctic Star
- Classic America
- Other ranked manufacturers
Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of
| Rating | Antarctic Star | Classic America |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency index | 34% (higher)median — | 32% (higher)median — |
| COP at 5°F | 62% (higher)median 2.05 | 33% (higher)median 1.90 |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | 26% (higher)median 67% | 22% (higher)median 70% |
| HSPF2 | 25%median 9.0 | 43%median 9.5 |
| SEER2 | 38%median 20.5 | 38%median 17.0 |
| EER2 | 22%median 10.5 | 27%median 9.5 |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | 34% (higher)median 8,200 Btu/h | 28% (higher)median 16,000 Btu/h |
| Outdoor models | 9 | 9 |
| AHRI certifications | 9 | 9 |
Share of models meeting each standard
| Standard | Antarctic Star | Classic America |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 77.8%7 models | 44.4%4 models |
| CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 77.8%7 models | 44.4%4 models |
| CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP) | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025) | 44.4%4 models | 44.4%4 models |
| DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | 0%0 models | 44.4%4 models |
Sizes and duct types offered
Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
- Antarctic Star
- Classic America
- All models of the group
Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.
Source: AHRI Directory · as of
| Size and duct type | Antarctic Star | Classic America |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 7 · index 37% | 4 · index 28% |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 2 · index 24% | 1 · index 13% |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | None | 3 · index 41% |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | None | 1 · index 42% |
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
| Size and duct type | Antarctic StarCold-climate score, best model | Classic AmericaCold-climate score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 47.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SE7203P-9Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203S-9KAlso listed as SE7203PW-9K-ZAZ4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 218787870 | 68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MZR454-18CHA2-O1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217734698 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify) | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | No models in this size class | 57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-27CHA2-O2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217734699 |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | No models in this size class | 31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-42CHA2-O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217734701 |
All-around best
| Size and duct type | Antarctic StarAll-around score, best model | Classic AmericaAll-around score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 39.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SE7203P-9Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203S-9KAlso listed as SE7203PW-9K-ZAZ7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787870 | 72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MZR454-18CHA2-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734698 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 23.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SE7203P-24Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203S-24KAlso listed as SE7203PW-24K-ZAZ2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787873 | 13.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSCR32-23CHSA2-Owith ductless indoor unit MSCR32-23CHSA2-I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734533 |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | No models in this size class | 65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-27CHA2-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734699 |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | No models in this size class | 42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-42CHA2-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734701 |
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.
| Rating | Antarctic Star | Classic America |
|---|---|---|
| COP at 5°F | beats 74% · 2.09SE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 63% · 2.00MZR454-18CHA2-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | beats 61% · 80%SE7203P-9KAlso listed as SE7203PW-9K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 61% · 80%MZR454-18CHA2-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| HSPF2 | beats 29% · 9.0SE7203P-9KAlso listed as SE7203PW-9K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 80% · 10.5MZR454-27CHA2-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| SEER2 | beats 56% · 22.0A7201P-12K-ELAlso listed as A7201PW-12K-EL, A7201PW-12K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 91% · 24.0MZR454-27CHA2-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| EER2 | beats 28% · 11.0SE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 70% · 13.0MZR454-18CHA2-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | beats 73% · 12,600 Btu/hSE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 88% · 16,000 Btu/hMZR454-18CHA2-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |