APLUS vs PRIME heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, APLUS and PRIME split the 6 ratings 3–3. APLUS has 31 outdoor models, PRIME has 18 outdoor models. APLUS and PRIME 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.

APLUS and PRIME 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, APLUS and PRIME split the 6 ratings 3–3.

APLUS
PRIME
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	APLUS	PRIME
Efficiency index	17%median —	20%median —
COP at 5°F	14%median 1.64	44%median 1.95
Capacity retention at 5°F	6%median 38%	15%median 61%
HSPF2	23% (higher)median 7.5	21% (higher)median 8.2
SEER2	22% (higher)median 14.3	18% (higher)median 17.0
EER2	50% (higher)median 11.7	32% (higher)median 10.3
Heating capacity at 5°F	7%median 11,800 Btu/h	26%median 9,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	31	18
AHRI certifications	62	18

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	APLUS	PRIME
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	11.1%2 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	11.1%2 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	11.1%2 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.

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 · 4 groups where both have models

APLUS
PRIME
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	APLUS	PRIME
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index —	1 · index —
Ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 8%	1 · index —
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	13 · index 17%	2 · index —
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	8 · index 24%	3 · index —
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	6 · index 23%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	2 · index 18%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	3 · index 8%

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	APLUSCold-climate score, best model	PRIMECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 13 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	42.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN182-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN182-W12 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217747236
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)

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	APLUSAll-around score, best model	PRIMEAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 3 models have all five ratings)	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2 tons	8.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ART-HF24SSMR3-D01/SE1341 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218725502	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	20.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ART-HF42SSMR3-C01/SE1343 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218725505	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	24.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ART-HF48SSMR3-C01/SE1341 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218725506	None on this board (0 of 3 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	38.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN121-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN121-W16 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747235
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	23.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN242-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN242-W12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747228
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	7.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMPRN362-V1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN362-V11 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216505870

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	APLUS	PRIME
COP at 5°F	beats 34% · 1.86ART-HF48SSMR3-C01/SE134Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 96% · 2.21CMPRN362-W1Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 13% · 43%ART-HF42SSMR3-C01/SE134Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 44% · 74%CMPRN122-W1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 27% · 7.5ATD-HF42SMR4-C01/SE143Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 45% · 9.5CMPRN121-V1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 50% · 16.0ART-HF48DDMR3-C01/SE160Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 56% · 22.0CMPRN121-W1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 67% · 11.7ATD-HF42SMR4-C01/SE143Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 74% · 12.0CMPRN302-ADucted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 19% · 16,200 Btu/hART-HF42SSMR3-C01/SE134Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 73% · 12,600 Btu/hCMPRN182-W1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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