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.

AUX and Carrier 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, AUX scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

AUX
Carrier
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AUX	Carrier
Efficiency index	52% (higher)median — · 18th ranked	48% (higher)median — · 23rd ranked
COP at 5°F	62% (higher)median 2.05 · 7th ranked	56% (higher)median 2.04 · 16th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	51% (higher)median 76% · 15th ranked	34% (higher)median 53% · 28th ranked
HSPF2	43% (higher)median 9.0 · 22nd ranked	40% (higher)median 7.8 · 25th ranked
SEER2	51% (higher)median 20.5 · 16th ranked	42% (higher)median 15.2 · 23rd ranked
EER2	40%median 11.3 · 26th ranked	59%median 11.5 · 8th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	49% (higher)median 11,600 Btu/h · 19th ranked	37% (higher)median 18,600 Btu/h · 27th ranked
Outdoor models	149	816
AHRI certifications	183	525,760

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AUX	Carrier
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	67.8%101 models	40.2%328 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	66.4%99 models	35.3%288 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.3%2 models	1%8 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	63.1%94 models	27.2%222 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.3%2 models	1%8 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	44.3%66 models	26.7%218 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 · 8 groups where both have models

AUX
Carrier
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	AUX	Carrier
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	6 · index 59%	69 · index 56%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 59%	93 · index 47%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	9 · index 63%	228 · index 45%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	5 · index 61%	306 · index 44%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	68 · index 50%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	90 · index 47%	54 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	27 · index 56%	16 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	18 · index 51%	30 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 73%	22 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None	4 · index 57%

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	AUXCold-climate score, best model	CarrierCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	74.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM18HPMULO6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216032437	93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK30 of 68 models qualify · AHRI 215323798
Ducted, 2 tons	63.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM24HPMULO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216032438	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ24AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ24XH3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK44 of 94 models qualify · AHRI 215323817
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASPR30HPMULO6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 216032400	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MGHAQ36EA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK59 of 229 models qualify · AHRI 215357119
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216032440	89.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H5H0V48KAAAwith indoor coil D(A,C,E)61A3J+TDR and furnace 80CSU0802120A63 of 293 models qualify · AHRI 218372714
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	94.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL19 of 80 models qualify · AHRI 216763249
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM2-H18/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM18HPMULO58 of 90 models qualify · AHRI 214097940	96.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)D5CPRAH18AAwith ductless indoor unit D5FPHAH18XAK35 of 54 models qualify · AHRI 215413214
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM3-H24/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM24HPMULO13 of 27 models qualify · AHRI 214097943	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MBCAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK15 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 215323815
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 214097941	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MBHAQ36AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MCFAQ36XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CLHAH36AAK21 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 215323843
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	59.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216050942	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-BP421AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB421CTP-UL18 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 216415472
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	50.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)37VMB060HDS3-11 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216369714

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	AUXAll-around score, best model	CarrierAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	79.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM18HPMULO6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032437	95.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK64 of 68 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215323798
Ducted, 2 tons	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM24HPMULO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032438	82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27VNA324A030with ducted air handler FE5BN(B,X)C36L+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN024AA, HEIL B5H3V24K*AAA90 of 90 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217624252
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	81.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM36HPMULO9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032439	88.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ducted air handler RAV-HB301BTP-UL209 of 230 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216415477
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032440	90.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27VNA154A030with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 291VAN054*AA241 of 275 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215587917
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)27VNA360A030with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN060AA, HEIL B5H3V60K*AAA81 of 101 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215931484
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2with ductless indoor unit ASW-H18E3B2/R3DI-D2Also listed as ASW-H18E3B2/**R3DI-D276 of 90 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215218928	96.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MAHAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK51 of 54 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215323742
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7with ductless indoor unit ASW-H24F6A2/ R3DI-D7Also listed as ASW-H24F6A2/**R3DI-D723 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217115274	88.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MARAQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MAHAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSRAH24AAK15 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215323752
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO14 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214097941	91.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB301UTP-UL29 of 30 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216415465
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	74.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216050942	84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MUB0488HS2P-UL20 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760288
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216763251

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	AUX	Carrier
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 2.52AFEB09HP115V1CONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 2.50MCY-MUB0488HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 108%AM3-H24/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM24HPMULONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 150%37MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 96% · 11.0AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 15.637MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 22.0ASUM42HPMULODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 35.137MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 96% · 14.0AMAR24HP230V1CONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 17.2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 99% · 21,800 Btu/hAM2-H18/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM18HPMULONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 61,000 Btu/hH5H0V60KAAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

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AUX vs Carrier heat pumps