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Antarctic Star vs MBO: heat pump ratings compared

One of these brands has too few models with every rating for an overall score; see each rating below.

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

MBO

—

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Not enough rated models

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%MBO: Not rated
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAntarctic Star: Beats 26%MBO: Not rated
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Antarctic Star: Beats 25%MBO: Beats 6%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Antarctic Star: Beats 38%MBO: Beats 25%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Antarctic Star: Beats 22%MBO: Beats 33%

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%
    MBO
    0%

  • Xcel CC

    Antarctic Star
    44%
    MBO
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    Antarctic Star
    0%
    MBO
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Antarctic Star
    0%
    MBO
    0%

All-around best, ductless 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Antarctic Star

No ductless, 2.5–3 tons model from Antarctic Star.

MBO

None of MBO’s ductless, 2.5–3 tons models has all five ratings.

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.

Open the advanced view