AURUS vs ZENAIRE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AURUS scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. AURUS has 12 outdoor models, ZENAIRE has 24 outdoor models. AURUS and ZENAIRE 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.

AURUS and ZENAIRE 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, AURUS scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

AURUS
ZENAIRE
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AURUS	ZENAIRE
Efficiency index	32% (higher)median —	17% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	41%median 1.85	73%median 2.08
Capacity retention at 5°F	21% (higher)median 70%	0% (higher)median 20%
HSPF2	35% (higher)median 9.5	18% (higher)median 7.5
SEER2	31% (higher)median 17.0	17% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	27%median 9.5	37%median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	32% (higher)median 9,100 Btu/h	1% (higher)median 4,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	12	24
AHRI certifications	12	48

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AURUS	ZENAIRE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	33.3%4 models	0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	33.3%4 models	0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	33.3%4 models	0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	33.3%4 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 · 3 groups where both have models

AURUS
ZENAIRE
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	AURUS	ZENAIRE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	2 · index —
Ducted, 2 tons	None	2 · index —
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	4 · index —
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	6 · index —
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	8 · index 35%	6 · index 17%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 31%	2 · index —
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 8%	2 · index —

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	AURUSCold-climate score, best model	ZENAIRECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	59.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US23 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216980959	None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2 tons	36.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216980961	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 2 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	AURUSAll-around score, best model	ZENAIREAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 4 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 6 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US27 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980959	16.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHP12BC17Qwith ductless indoor unit DHP 12BE17Q1 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211164254
Non-ducted, 2 tons	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980961	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU32-H36A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU32-H36A2/INVL-US21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980958	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)

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	AURUS	ZENAIRE
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.21ARU-H36A2-INVX-USNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 96% · 2.21DHP36BC17QNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 49% · 74%ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 0% · 20%DHP12BC17QNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 64% · 10.0ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 29% · 9.0DHP18BC17QNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 79% · 23.0ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 30% · 20.0DHP12AC17QNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 70% · 13.0ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 67% · 11.7BHP42B15S2R5Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 79% · 13,600 Btu/hARU454-H18A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 1% · 5,200 Btu/hDHP36BC17QNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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