Skip to content

BOREAL vs ELIOS: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BOREAL model beats 43% and a typical ELIOS model 59%. ELIOS rates higher overall.

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

BOREAL

43%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

28 models listed

ELIOS

59%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

45 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 31%ELIOS: Beats 51%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBOREAL: Beats 60%ELIOS: Beats 62%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BOREAL: Beats 37%ELIOS: Beats 72%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BOREAL: Beats 44%ELIOS: Beats 59%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BOREAL: Beats 42%ELIOS: Beats 46%

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
    71%
    ELIOS
    62%
  • Xcel CC

    BOREAL
    68%
    ELIOS
    47%
  • CEE Advanced

    BOREAL
    0%
    ELIOS
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BOREAL
    39%
    ELIOS
    56%

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

BOREAL

  1. 1ENVBR36HPJ1OAwith ducted air handler ENVBR36HPJ1IBBOREAL3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    55.3score / 100
  2. 2MBRS30HPJ1OEBOREAL2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 89% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    54.7score / 100
  3. 3MBRS42HPJ1OEBOREAL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    52.1score / 100

ELIOS

  1. 1DE36HOS25230E3with ducted air handler DM36HIDU230X5ELIOSAlso listed as DEA36HOS28230E83 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.98 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    79.9score / 100
  2. 2DEA36HOS20230E7with ducted air handler CUB36HAC20CWT7AELIOS3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    78.6score / 100
  3. 3DEA30HOS20230E7with ducted air handler CUB36HAC20CWT7AELIOS2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.7 (HSPF2)
    Great
    67.8score / 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.

Open the advanced view