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BHI vs PRIME: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BHI model beats 17% and a typical PRIME model 20%. PRIME rates slightly 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

PRIME

20%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

18 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%PRIME: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBHI: Beats 15%PRIME: Beats 15%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BHI: Beats 36%PRIME: Beats 21%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BHI: Beats 9%PRIME: Beats 18%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BHI: Beats 10%PRIME: Beats 32%

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%
    PRIME
    11%

  • Xcel CC

    BHI
    14%
    PRIME
    11%

  • CEE Advanced

    BHI
    0%
    PRIME
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BHI
    0%
    PRIME
    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

PRIME

  1. 1CMPRN121-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN121-W1PRIME1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    38.0score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 37
  2. 2CMPRN182-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN182-W1PRIME1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 42.2Meets 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
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    33.4score / 100Heating 42 · Cooling 25
  3. 3CMPRN122-W1with ductless indoor unit EMPRN122-W1PRIME1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 37.8Meets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.3 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    25.1score / 100Heating 38 · Cooling 12

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