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 COMFORTSTAR 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 and COMFORTSTAR split the 6 ratings 3–3.

AUX
COMFORTSTAR
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AUX	COMFORTSTAR
Efficiency index	52% (higher)median — · 18th ranked	50% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	62% (higher)median 2.05 · 7th ranked	51% (higher)median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	51% (higher)median 76% · 15th ranked	48% (higher)median 71%
HSPF2	43%median 9.0 · 22nd ranked	54%median 8.7
SEER2	51% (higher)median 20.5 · 16th ranked	49% (higher)median 17.1
EER2	40%median 11.3 · 26th ranked	44%median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	49%median 11,600 Btu/h · 19th ranked	52%median 20,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	149	133
AHRI certifications	183	461

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AUX	COMFORTSTAR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	67.8%101 models	53.4%71 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	66.4%99 models	53.4%71 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.3%2 models	1.5%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	63.1%94 models	46.6%62 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.3%2 models	1.5%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	44.3%66 models	30.1%40 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
COMFORTSTAR
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	AUX	COMFORTSTAR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	6 · index 59%	17 · index 67%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 59%	17 · index 48%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	9 · index 63%	31 · index 49%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	5 · index 61%	36 · index 49%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	2 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	90 · index 47%	25 · index 56%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	27 · index 56%	7 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	18 · index 51%	18 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 73%	11 · index 39%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None	1 · index 27%

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	COMFORTSTARCold-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)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)13 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 217138375
Ducted, 2 tons	63.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM24HPMULO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216032438	77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler AHU3-24M12 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 217138361
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)CHF3-36DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-36DU(I)12 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 217138387
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM42HPMULO5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216032440	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-48-6SH16 of 36 models qualify · AHRI 216720919
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
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	94.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit T1W3-06CD(I)17 of 25 models qualify · AHRI 217138383
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)CHF3-24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit TIP3-24CD(I)4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217138374
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)CHF3-36DU(O)with ductless indoor unit FPA3-36DU(I)14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 217138384
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	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-60-6SH9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216720923
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 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	AUXAll-around score, best model	COMFORTSTARAll-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	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138375
Ducted, 2 tons	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM24HPMULO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032438	78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPP3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-24CD(I)15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720902
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	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-36-5SH27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720916
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM42HPMULO5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032440	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ3-55-6Z32 of 36 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720934
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	65.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-60DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-60DU(I)2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720905
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	93.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-06CD(I)22 of 25 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138368
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-D723 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217115274	74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-24CD(I)6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720887
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO14 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214097941	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-36-5SH17 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720915
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	74.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM42HPMULO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216050942	62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-60-6SH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720921
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ3-62-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720936

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	COMFORTSTAR
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 2.52AFEB09HP115V1CONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 2.47CPP3-12CD(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 108%AM3-H24/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM24HPMULONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 99% · 115%CHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2	beats 96% · 11.0AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 11.0CVH3-48-6SHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 22.0ASUM42HPMULODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 97% · 22.0C32-MZ-2Ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 96% · 14.0AMAR24HP230V1CONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 99% · 14.4CHF3-06CD(O)Ducted, up to 1.5 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% · 42,500 Btu/hCHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

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AUX vs COMFORTSTAR heat pumps