Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

APLUS vs Connect M heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Connect M scores higher on 2 of the 6 ratings. APLUS has 5 outdoor models, Connect M has 5 outdoor models. APLUS and Connect M have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

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.
APLUS and Connect M 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, Connect M scores higher on 2 of the 6 ratings.
  • APLUS
  • Connect M
  • Other ranked manufacturers
APLUSConnect M

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAPLUSConnect M
Efficiency index—median —55%median —
COP at 5°F—median —53%median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F—median —76%median 82%
HSPF221%median 7.583%median 9.5
SEER213%median 14.352%median 15.6
EER251% (higher)median 11.528% (higher)median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F—median —83%median 32,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models55
AHRI certifications99

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAPLUSConnect M
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models60%3 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models60%3 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)0%0 models60%3 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models100%5 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 · 3 groups where both have models
  • APLUS
  • Connect M
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeAPLUSConnect M
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1 · index —1 · index 52%
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index —1 · index 66%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index —1 · index 53%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone2 · index 53%

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 typeAPLUSCold-climate score, best modelConnect MCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)63.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CNTM16DHP18AAwith ducted air handler CNTMDCC24AA1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215748027
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CNTM16DHP24AAwith ducted air handler CNTM16DAH24AA1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215748023
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CNTM16DHP36AAwith ducted air handler CNTMDCC36AA1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215748028
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CNTM16DHP48AAwith ducted air handler CNTM16DAH48AA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215748025

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 typeAPLUSAll-around score, best modelConnect MAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)63.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CNTM16DHP18AAwith ducted air handler CNTM16DAH18AA1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215748022
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)65.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CNTM16DHP24AAwith ducted air handler CNTM16DAH24AA1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215748023
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CNTM16DHP36AAwith ducted air handler CNTM16DAH36AA1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215748024
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CNTM16DHP60AAwith ducted air handler CNTM16DAH60AA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215748026

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
RatingAPLUSConnect M
COP at 5°F—beats 76% · 2.20CNTM16DHP18AADucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F—beats 92% · 92%CNTM16DHP48AADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2beats 21% · 7.5ATD-HF30SMR1-A01/SE143Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 93% · 10.0CNTM16DHP36AADucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 13% · 14.3ATD-HF30SMR1-A01/SE143Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 67% · 17.4CNTM16DHP24AADucted, 2 tons
EER2beats 57% · 11.5ATD-HF30SMR1-A01/SE143Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 72% · 12.4CNTM16DHP18AADucted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F—beats 95% · 48,500 Btu/hCNTM16DHP60AADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers