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APLUS vs PRIME: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical APLUS model beats 17% and a typical PRIME model 20%. PRIME rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

APLUS

17%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

31 models listed

PRIME

20%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

18 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: Beats 14%PRIME: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAPLUS: Beats 6%PRIME: Beats 15%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2APLUS: Beats 23%PRIME: Beats 21%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2APLUS: Beats 22%PRIME: Beats 18%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2APLUS: Beats 50%PRIME: Beats 32%

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%
    PRIME
    11%

  • Xcel CC

    APLUS
    0%
    PRIME
    11%

  • CEE Advanced

    APLUS
    0%
    PRIME
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    APLUS
    0%
    PRIME
    0%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 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 Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

APLUS

No ductless, up to 1.5 tons model from APLUS.

PRIME

  1. 1CMPRN182-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN182-W1PRIME1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    42.2score / 100
  2. 2CMPRN122-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN122-W1PRIME1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 74% of its heat at 5°FMeets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.3 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    37.8score / 100

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