Antarctic Star vs MBO heat pumps
Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Antarctic Star scores higher on 2 of the 6 ratings. Antarctic Star has 9 outdoor models, MBO has 9 outdoor models. Antarctic Star and MBO 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
- MBO
- Other ranked manufacturers
Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of
| Rating | Antarctic Star | MBO |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency index | 34%median — | —median — |
| COP at 5°F | 62%median 2.05 | —median — |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | 26%median 67% | —median — |
| HSPF2 | 25% (higher)median 9.0 | 6% (higher)median 8.2 |
| SEER2 | 38% (higher)median 20.5 | 25% (higher)median 18.1 |
| EER2 | 22%median 10.5 | 33%median 10.8 |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | 34%median 8,200 Btu/h | —median — |
| Outdoor models | 9 | 9 |
| AHRI certifications | 9 | 9 |
Share of models meeting each standard
| Standard | Antarctic Star | MBO |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 77.8%7 models | 0%0 models |
| CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 77.8%7 models | 0%0 models |
| CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP) | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025) | 44.4%4 models | 0%0 models |
| DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | 0%0 models | 0%0 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
- MBO
- 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 | MBO |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 7 · index 37% | 7 · index — |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 2 · index 24% | 1 · index — |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | None | 1 · index — |
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 | MBOCold-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 | None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify) |
| 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 | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) |
All-around best
| Size and duct type | Antarctic StarAll-around score, best model | MBOAll-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 | None on this board (0 of 7 models have all five ratings) |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 23.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SE7203P-24Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203S-24KAlso listed as SE7203PW-24K-ZAZ2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787873 | None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings) |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | No models in this size class | None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings) |
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 | MBO |
|---|---|---|
| COP at 5°F | beats 74% · 2.09SE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZNon-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 | — |
| HSPF2 | beats 29% · 9.0SE7203P-9KAlso listed as SE7203PW-9K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 24% · 8.9MSAW-18HVCMNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| SEER2 | beats 56% · 22.0A7201P-12K-ELAlso listed as A7201PW-12K-EL, A7201PW-12K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 72% · 23.9MSBW-12HVCNNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| EER2 | beats 28% · 11.0SE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 76% · 13.2MSAW-18HVCMNon-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 | — |