Antarctic Star vs THERMOFLUX heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, THERMOFLUX scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Antarctic Star has 9 outdoor models, THERMOFLUX has 9 outdoor models. Antarctic Star and THERMOFLUX have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · 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 and THERMOFLUX 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, THERMOFLUX scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Antarctic Star
THERMOFLUX
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Antarctic Star	THERMOFLUX
Efficiency index	34%median —	43%median —
COP at 5°F	62% (higher)median 2.05	25% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F	26%median 67%	66%median 75%
HSPF2	25%median 9.0	61%median 8.1
SEER2	38%median 20.5	50%median 15.2
EER2	22%median 10.5	22%median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	34%median 8,200 Btu/h	67%median 36,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	9	9
AHRI certifications	9	9

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Antarctic Star	THERMOFLUX
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.

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 · 0 groups where both have models

Antarctic Star
THERMOFLUX
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 Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Antarctic Star	THERMOFLUX
Ducted, 2 tons	None	2 · index 47%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	3 · index 37%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	4 · index 46%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	7 · index 37%	None
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 24%	None

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 type	Antarctic StarCold-climate score, best model	THERMOFLUXCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	68.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMFS24HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler TMFS24IDI2NAJ0H261 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218787998
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMFS36HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler TMFS36IDI2NAJ0H261 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218787999
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	69.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMFS48HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler TMFS48IDI2NAJ0H264 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218788000
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	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	No models in this size class

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 type	Antarctic StarAll-around score, best model	THERMOFLUXAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	70.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMFS24HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler TMFS24IDI2NAJ0H262 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787998
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	57.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMFS36HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler TMFS36IDI2NAJ0H263 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787999
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	65.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMFS48HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler TMFS48IDI2NAJ0H264 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218788000
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	No models in this size class
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	No models in this size class

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
Rating	Antarctic Star	THERMOFLUX
COP at 5°F	beats 74% · 2.09SE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 32% · 1.85TMFS48HDI2NAJ0H26Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 61% · 80%SE7203P-9KAlso listed as SE7203PW-9K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 94% · 100%TMFS48HDI2NAJ0H26Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 29% · 9.0SE7203P-9KAlso listed as SE7203PW-9K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 81% · 10.0TMFS24HDI2NAJ0H26Ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 56% · 22.0A7201P-12K-ELAlso listed as A7201PW-12K-EL, A7201PW-12K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 76% · 18.0TMFS48HDI2NAJ0H26Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 28% · 11.0SE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 60% · 12.0TMFS24HDI2NAJ0H26Ducted, 2 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 91% · 50,000 Btu/hTMFS55HDI2NAJ0H26Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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