Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

BHI vs cool-living: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BHI model beats 36% and a typical cool-living model 40%. cool-living rates slightly higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

BHI

36%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

5 models listed

cool-living

40%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

5 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FBHI: Beats 19%cool-living: Beats 20%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBHI: Beats 33%cool-living: Beats 42%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BHI: Beats 17%cool-living: Beats 36%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BHI: Beats 27%cool-living: Beats 46%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BHI: Beats 18%cool-living: Beats 47%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    BHI
    20%
    cool-living
    100%

  • Xcel CC

    BHI
    20%
    cool-living
    60%

  • CEE Advanced

    BHI
    0%
    cool-living
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BHI
    20%
    cool-living
    0%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

BHI

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from BHI.

cool-living

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from cool-living.

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

Open the advanced view