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APLUS vs Buck Cool: heat pump ratings compared

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

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

APLUS

—

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Not enough rated models

5 models listed

Buck Cool

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

5 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°FAPLUS: Not ratedBuck Cool: Beats 60%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAPLUS: Not ratedBuck Cool: Beats 70%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2APLUS: Beats 21%Buck Cool: Beats 33%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2APLUS: Beats 13%Buck Cool: Beats 43%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2APLUS: Beats 51%Buck Cool: Beats 48%

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

    APLUS
    0%
    Buck Cool
    80%

  • Xcel CC

    APLUS
    0%
    Buck Cool
    80%

  • CEE Advanced

    APLUS
    0%
    Buck Cool
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    APLUS
    0%
    Buck Cool
    60%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

APLUS

None of APLUS’s ducted, 2.5–3 tons models qualifies.

Buck Cool

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from Buck Cool.

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