B Air vs DENALI AIRE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, DENALI AIRE scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. B Air has 5 outdoor models, DENALI AIRE has 5 outdoor models. B Air 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.

B Air 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, DENALI AIRE scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

B Air
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	B Air	DENALI AIRE
Efficiency index	12%median —	52%median —
COP at 5°F	18%median 1.80	41%median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F	8%median 58%	60%median 80%
HSPF2	25%median 8.5	45%median 9.5
SEER2	6%median 17.0	55%median 22.0
EER2	9%median 9.5	56%median 12.3
Heating capacity at 5°F	20%median 9,500 Btu/h	52%median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	5	5
AHRI certifications	5	9

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	B Air	DENALI AIRE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	80%4 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	80%4 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	80%4 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	80%4 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

B Air
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	B Air	DENALI AIRE
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 13%	3 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 13%	1 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	1 · index 8%	1 · index 16%

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	B AirCold-climate score, best model	DENALI AIRECold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)	65.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)2DNMSHQCO18with ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW183 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216498648
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	54.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)2DNMSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW24-21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217747133
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	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	B AirAll-around score, best model	DENALI AIREAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	22.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)BAM120HTICXwith ductless indoor unit BAM120HTICX3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216010709	70.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)2DNMSHQCO9Awith ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW9A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216498644
Non-ducted, 2 tons	13.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)BAM241HTICXwith ductless indoor unit BAM241HTICX1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216010712	61.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)2DNMSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW24-21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747133
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)BAM361HTICXwith ductless indoor unit BAM361HTICX1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216010713	16.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)2DNMSHQCO36with ductless indoor unit 2DNMSHQCW361 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747135

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	B Air	DENALI AIRE
COP at 5°F	beats 42% · 1.90BAM120HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 51% · 2.002DNMSHQCO24Non-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 20% · 70%BAM120HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 87% · 100%2DNMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 45% · 9.5BAM120HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 64% · 10.02DNMSHQCO9ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 8% · 17.0BAM120HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 67% · 22.52DNMSHQCO24Non-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 13% · 9.5BAM361HTICXNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 85% · 14.12DNMSHQCO9ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 52% · 9,500 Btu/hBAM181HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 93% · 18,000 Btu/h2DNMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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