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.

AUFIT and Pioneer 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, AUFIT scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

AUFIT
Pioneer
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AUFIT	Pioneer
Efficiency index	53% (higher)median —	47% (higher)median — · 25th ranked
COP at 5°F	64% (higher)median 2.00	41% (higher)median 1.88 · 27th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	51% (higher)median 75%	43% (higher)median 73% · 23rd ranked
HSPF2	52%median 9.0	56%median 9.5 · 12th ranked
SEER2	61% (higher)median 22.0	56% (higher)median 20.0 · 13th ranked
EER2	38%median 11.3	40%median 11.2 · 24th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	54% (higher)median 15,000 Btu/h	45% (higher)median 12,800 Btu/h · 23rd ranked
Outdoor models	45	46
AHRI certifications	61	69

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AUFIT	Pioneer
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	84.4%38 models	73.9%34 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	82.2%37 models	73.9%34 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	77.8%35 models	69.6%32 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	51.1%23 models	54.3%25 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 · 7 groups where both have models

AUFIT
Pioneer
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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	AUFIT	Pioneer
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 52%	4 · index 58%
Ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 48%	2 · index 68%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 57%	4 · index 59%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index 51%	4 · index 59%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	1 · index 71%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	20 · index 52%	26 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	6 · index 67%	5 · index 36%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 41%	8 · index 32%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	3 · index 38%

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	AUFITCold-climate score, best model	PioneerCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	55.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FM2-H18/2DR3A3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217606743	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN009GLSI24RPG4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217048762
Ducted, 2 tons	59.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FM3-H24/2DR3A3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217606744	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YD2436GCSI18RDwith ducted air handler DC024GCSICDHRT2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217048497
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FM4-H30/2DR3A7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217606745	49.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217048773
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	72.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)XHU36HPV1AOwith ducted air handler XHU36HPV1AIAlso listed as FHU48HPV1AO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217606771	67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMSI20RUGwith ducted air handler RB048GMSILDFHG4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218010994
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRD-60HWD1N10-M18G1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216684003
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	79.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2with ductless indoor unit ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2Also listed as ASW-H18E3B2/**R3DI-D217 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 217902887	78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN018GMSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit FB018GMSILDFHG21 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 218010990
Non-ducted, 2 tons	77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7with ductless indoor unit ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7Also listed as ASW-H24F6A2/**R3DI-D75 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217902888	58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GLSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit CT024GLSILCFHG2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217048761
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	62.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FM4-H30/2DR3A7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217606750	62.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN036GMSI20RUGwith ductless indoor unit CB036GMSILDFHG3 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218010991
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	55.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMSI20RUGwith ductless indoor unit CB048GMSILDFHG3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218010992

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	AUFITAll-around score, best model	PioneerAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	61.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FM2-H18/2DR3A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606743	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN020GLSI24M2G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048772
Ducted, 2 tons	66.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FM3-H24/2DR3A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606744	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YD2436GCSI18RDwith ducted air handler DC024GCSICDHRT2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048497
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FM4-H30/2DR3A7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606745	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048773
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	53.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)XHU36HPV1AOwith ducted air handler XHU36HPV1AIAlso listed as FHU48HPV1AO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606771	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN050GLSI24M5G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048775
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRD-60HWD1N10-M18G1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216684003
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2with ductless indoor unit ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2Also listed as ASW-H18E3B2/**R3DI-D220 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217902887	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GLSI25RPHwith ductless indoor unit WT009GLSI25HLH26 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048754
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7with ductless indoor unit ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7Also listed as ASW-H24F6A2/**R3DI-D76 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217902888	56.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GLSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit CT024GLSILCFHG5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048761
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	66.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FM4-H30/2DR3A7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606740	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048769
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN050GLSI24M5G3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048771

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	AUFIT	Pioneer
COP at 5°F	beats 89% · 2.25ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2Also listed as ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 2.51YN012GMSI24RPGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 79% · 90%FM3-H24/2DR3ANon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 92% · 106%YN009GLSI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 84% · 10.0FM4-H36/2DR3ADucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 97% · 13.5YN018GMSI24RPGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 95% · 25.0ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7Also listed as ASW-H24F6A2/*R3DI-D7Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 99% · 22.0YN030GLSI24M3GDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 96% · 14.0ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7Also listed as ASW-H24F6A2/*R3DI-D7Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 93% · 13.3YD2436GCSI18RDDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 86% · 15,000 Btu/hASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2Also listed as ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 90% · 17,800 Btu/hYN018GLSI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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AUFIT vs Pioneer heat pumps