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BOREAL vs ELIOS: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BOREAL model beats 53% and a typical ELIOS model 56%. ELIOS rates slightly higher overall.

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

BOREAL

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

49 models listed

ELIOS

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

48 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°FBOREAL: Beats 43%ELIOS: Beats 57%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBOREAL: Beats 59%ELIOS: Beats 53%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BOREAL: Beats 41%ELIOS: Beats 65%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BOREAL: Beats 59%ELIOS: Beats 59%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BOREAL: Beats 58%ELIOS: Beats 49%

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

    BOREAL
    88%
    ELIOS
    88%

  • Xcel CC

    BOREAL
    88%
    ELIOS
    81%

  • CEE Advanced

    BOREAL
    6%
    ELIOS
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BOREAL
    61%
    ELIOS
    77%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

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

BOREAL

  1. 1KUL09HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC09HPJ132IABOREALAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OA1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.14 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    69.9score / 100
  2. 2ARX18HPJ1R32OAwith ducted air handler ARX18HPJ1R32IABOREAL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    62.5score / 100
  3. 3KUL12HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC12HPJ132IABOREALAlso listed as NOV12HPJ132OA1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 88% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    49.7score / 100

ELIOS

  1. 1ESHEA09C2AN1with ducted air handler GDHRA09C2AS1ELIOS1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 83% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.3score / 100
  2. 2ESHEA12C2AN1with ducted air handler GDHRA12C2AS1ELIOS1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 74% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.44 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.3score / 100
  3. 3ESHMA18R2AN1with ducted air handler GCHMA24RBAS1ELIOSAlso listed as ESHMA18R2AN1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 95% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.06 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    72.8score / 100

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.

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