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BHI vs COVAC: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BHI model beats 17% and a typical COVAC model 35%. COVAC rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

BHI

17%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

7 models listed

COVAC

35%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

3 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 23%COVAC: Beats 47%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBHI: Beats 15%COVAC: Beats 13%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BHI: Beats 36%COVAC: Beats 28%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BHI: Beats 9%COVAC: Beats 46%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BHI: Beats 10%COVAC: Beats 36%

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
    14%
    COVAC
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    BHI
    14%
    COVAC
    33%

  • CEE Advanced

    BHI
    0%
    COVAC
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BHI
    0%
    COVAC
    0%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

BHI

  1. 1BHI-*12K115V-USwith ductless indoor unit BHI-*12K115V-USBHI1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 37.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    32.2score / 100Heating 38 · Cooling 27
  2. 2BHI-*T17-12K115V-USwith ductless indoor unit BHI-*T17-12K115V-USBHIAlso listed as BHI-T17-12K115V-US1 ton · 11,500 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 69% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    22.1score / 100Heating 36 · Cooling 8
  3. 3BHI-T17-18K230V-USwith ductless indoor unit BHI-T17-18K230V-USBHI1.5 tons · 17,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 57% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    9.5score / 100Heating 11 · Cooling 8

COVAC

  1. 1COV-S5-09R454-Owith ductless indoor unit COV-S5-09R454-ICOVAC1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 34.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Good
    44.9score / 100Heating 35 · Cooling 55
  2. 2COV-S5-18R454-Owith ductless indoor unit COV-S5-18R454-ICOVAC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 61% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    61% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.99 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    34.3score / 100Heating 33 · Cooling 35
  3. 3COV-S5-12R454-Owith ductless indoor unit COV-S5-12R454-ICOVAC1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 58% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.3 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    26.4score / 100Heating 20 · Cooling 33

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