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ARCTIC KING vs Buck Cool: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ARCTIC KING model beats 35% and a typical Buck Cool model 55%. Buck Cool rates higher overall.

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

ARCTIC KING

35%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

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°FARCTIC KING: Beats 40%Buck Cool: Beats 60%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FARCTIC KING: Beats 28%Buck Cool: Beats 70%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ARCTIC KING: Beats 29%Buck Cool: Beats 33%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ARCTIC KING: Beats 23%Buck Cool: Beats 43%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ARCTIC KING: Beats 27%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

    ARCTIC KING
    20%
    Buck Cool
    80%

  • Xcel CC

    ARCTIC KING
    0%
    Buck Cool
    80%

  • CEE Advanced

    ARCTIC KING
    0%
    Buck Cool
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ARCTIC KING
    0%
    Buck Cool
    60%

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?

ARCTIC KING

No ductless, up to 1.5 tons model from ARCTIC KING.

Buck Cool

  1. 1UB1MSHQCO09with ductless indoor unit UB1MSHQCW09Buck Cool1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    62.1score / 100
  2. 2UB1MSHQCO12with ductless indoor unit UB1MSHQCW12Buck Cool1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    55.9score / 100
  3. 3UB1MSHQCO18with ductless indoor unit UB1MSHQCW18Buck Cool1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.87 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    43.2score / 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