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APOWER vs PRIME: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical APOWER model beats 58% and a typical PRIME model 20%. APOWER rates higher overall.

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

APOWER

58%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

19 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°FAPOWER: Beats 49%PRIME: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAPOWER: Beats 65%PRIME: Beats 15%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2APOWER: Beats 43%PRIME: Beats 21%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2APOWER: Beats 61%PRIME: Beats 18%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2APOWER: Beats 67%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

    APOWER
    90%
    PRIME
    11%

  • Xcel CC

    APOWER
    95%
    PRIME
    11%

  • CEE Advanced

    APOWER
    16%
    PRIME
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    APOWER
    0%
    PRIME
    0%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

APOWER

  1. 1APFH60HP230VAO-R32with ducted air handler APF48HP230VAI-R32APOWER4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 85.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.1score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 87
  2. 2AP5M42HP230VMOAPOWER3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.1score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 83

PRIME

None of PRIME’s ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons models has all five ratings.

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