Axtell vs DENALI AIRE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Axtell scores higher on 2 of the 6 ratings. Axtell has 7 outdoor models, DENALI AIRE has 7 outdoor models. Axtell and DENALI AIRE 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.

Axtell and DENALI AIRE 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, Axtell scores higher on 2 of the 6 ratings.

Axtell
DENALI AIRE
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Axtell	DENALI AIRE
Efficiency index	—median —	55%median —
COP at 5°F	—median —	60%median 1.98
Capacity retention at 5°F	—median —	70%median 81%
HSPF2	29% (higher)median 8.1	25% (higher)median 8.6
SEER2	37% (higher)median 16.0	33% (higher)median 18.5
EER2	28%median 9.8	36%median 12.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	—median —	55%median 11,715 Btu/h
Outdoor models	7	7
AHRI certifications	7	7

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Axtell	DENALI AIRE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	57.1%4 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	57.1%4 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	57.1%4 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	42.9%3 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 · 2 groups where both have models

Axtell
DENALI AIRE
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	Axtell	DENALI AIRE
Ducted, 2 tons	1 · index —	None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	1 · index —	None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index —	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	2 · index —	3 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	1 · index —	1 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	3 · 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	AxtellCold-climate score, best model	DENALI AIRECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	62.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DNMSHQCO9Awith ductless indoor unit DNMSHQCW9A3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 205300163
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	64.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DNMSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit DNMSHQCW241 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 205300165
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 3 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	AxtellAll-around score, best model	DENALI AIREAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)	56.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DNMSHQCO18with ductless indoor unit DNMSHQCW183 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205300164
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)	58.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DNMSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit DNMSHQCW241 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205300165
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 3 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	Axtell	DENALI AIRE
COP at 5°F	—	beats 81% · 2.13DNMSHQCO24Non-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	—	beats 69% · 89%DNMSHQCO24Non-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 49% · 8.1ATL-48HNVR1-18-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 57% · 9.5DNMSHQCO12ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 65% · 16.0ATL-48HNVR1-18-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 67% · 22.5DNMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 76% · 12.2ATL-24HNVR1-18-ODucted, 2 tons	beats 68% · 13.0DNMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	—	beats 83% · 13,770 Btu/hDNMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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