BHI vs Classic America heat pumps
Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Classic America scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. BHI has 7 outdoor models, Classic America has 9 outdoor models. BHI and Classic America have no QMID on file and are not ranked. They share hardware: 1 equipment family appear under both names.
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CompareData as of updated · 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.
- BHI
- Classic America
- Other ranked manufacturers
Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of
| Rating | BHI | Classic America |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency index | 17%median — | 32%median — |
| COP at 5°F | 23%median 1.80 | 33%median 1.90 |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | 15%median 58% | 22%median 70% |
| HSPF2 | 36%median 9.5 | 43%median 9.5 |
| SEER2 | 9%median 17.0 | 38%median 17.0 |
| EER2 | 10%median 9.5 | 27%median 9.5 |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | 24%median 9,500 Btu/h | 28%median 16,000 Btu/h |
| Outdoor models | 7 | 9 |
| AHRI certifications | 7 | 9 |
Share of models meeting each standard
| Standard | BHI | Classic America |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 14.3%1 models | 44.4%4 models |
| CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 14.3%1 models | 44.4%4 models |
| CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP) | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025) | 14.3%1 models | 44.4%4 models |
| DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | 0%0 models | 44.4%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.
- BHI
- Classic America
- 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
| Size and duct type | BHI | Classic America |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 4 · index 21% | 4 · index 28% |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 2 · index 13% | 1 · index 13% |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 1 · index 8% | 3 · index 41% |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | None | 1 · index 42% |
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
| Size and duct type | BHICold-climate score, best model | Classic AmericaCold-climate score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 37.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)BHI-*12K115V-USwith ductless indoor unit BHI-*12K115V-US1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217726429 | 68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MZR454-18CHA2-O1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217734698 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify) | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) | 57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-27CHA2-O2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217734699 |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | No models in this size class | 31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-42CHA2-O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217734701 |
All-around best
| Size and duct type | BHIAll-around score, best model | Classic AmericaAll-around score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 32.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)BHI-*12K115V-USwith ductless indoor unit BHI-*12K115V-US4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217726429 | 72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MZR454-18CHA2-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734698 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 13.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)BHI-T17-24K230V-IND-USwith ductless indoor unit BHI-T17-24K230V-IND-USAlso listed as BHI-T17-24K230V-CHN-US2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217463856 | 13.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSCR32-23CHSA2-Owith ductless indoor unit MSCR32-23CHSA2-I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734533 |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 7.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)BHI-T17-36K230V-USwith ductless indoor unit BHI-T17-36K230V-US1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217463857 | 65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MZR454-27CHA2-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734699 |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | No models in this size class | 42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZR454-42CHA2-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217734701 |
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.
| Rating | BHI | Classic America |
|---|---|---|
| COP at 5°F | beats 42% · 1.90BHI-*T17-12K115V-USAlso listed as BHI-T17-12K115V-USNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 63% · 2.00MZR454-18CHA2-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | beats 47% · 75%BHI-*12K115V-USNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 61% · 80%MZR454-18CHA2-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| HSPF2 | beats 45% · 9.5BHI-*T17-12K115V-USAlso listed as BHI-T17-12K115V-USNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 80% · 10.5MZR454-27CHA2-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| SEER2 | beats 30% · 20.0BHI-*12K115V-USNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 91% · 24.0MZR454-27CHA2-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| EER2 | beats 23% · 10.5BHI-*12K115V-USNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 70% · 13.0MZR454-18CHA2-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | beats 52% · 9,500 Btu/hBHI-T17-18K230V-USNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 88% · 16,000 Btu/hMZR454-18CHA2-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |