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BOREAL vs ELIOS heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ELIOS scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. BOREAL has 28 outdoor models, ELIOS has 45 outdoor models. BOREAL and ELIOS have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
BOREAL and ELIOS on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, ELIOS scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • BOREAL
  • ELIOS
  • Other ranked manufacturers
BOREALELIOS

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingBOREALELIOS
Efficiency index43%median —59%median —
COP at 5°F31%median 1.8151%median 1.98
Capacity retention at 5°F60%median 74%62%median 81%
HSPF237%median 8.572%median 9.7
SEER244%median 19.859%median 18.9
EER242%median 11.346%median 10.5
Heating capacity at 5°F55%median 13,300 Btu/h63%median 23,765 Btu/h
Outdoor models2845
AHRI certifications48114

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBOREALELIOS
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)71.4%20 models62.2%28 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)67.9%19 models55.6%25 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)67.9%19 models46.7%21 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate39.3%11 models55.6%25 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 7 groups where both have models
  • BOREAL
  • ELIOS
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeBOREALELIOS
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2 · index 43%10 · index 65%
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index 53%4 · index 74%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 52%10 · index 60%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 63%10 · index 57%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone3 · index 51%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons15 · index 33%13 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 46%4 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons8 · index 56%11 · index 56%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone8 · index 52%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeBOREALCold-climate score, best modelELIOSCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons37.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KULA12HPJ1OBwith ducted air handler BDUCT12HPJ1DA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21746405574.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA09HOS28230E8with ducted air handler DUA09HIDU230X59 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 207742452
Ducted, 2 tons50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21382984780.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA24HOS25230E8with ducted air handler DUA24HIDU230X54 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 207742448
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons55.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENVBR36HPJ1OAwith ducted air handler ENVBR36HPJ1IB4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20813026579.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DE36HOS25230E3with ducted air handler DM36HIDU230X5Also listed as DEA36HOS28230E86 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 206853242
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons58.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENVBR60HPJ1OAwith ducted air handler ENVBR48HPJ1IB1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 20813026686.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DE48HOS25230E3with ducted air handler DM48HIDU230X5Also listed as DEA48HOS28230E86 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 206853243
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS18HPJ1OE13 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 21117434689.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA06HOS28230E8with ductless indoor unit DEA06HIW25230E8Also listed as DEA09HOS25230E88 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 207742428
Non-ducted, 2 tons76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21117434786.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA24HOS28230E8with ductless indoor unit DUA24HICU230X53 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 207742442
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS42HPJ1OE7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21117435079.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA36HOM25230X33 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 207742466
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DEA48HOM25230X33 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 207742469

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeBOREALAll-around score, best modelELIOSAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons55.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)KULA12HPJ1OBwith ducted air handler BDUCT12HPJ1DA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21746405585.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA09HOS28230E8with ducted air handler DUA09HIDU230X510 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742452
Ducted, 2 tons60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENVBR36HPJ1OAwith ducted air handler ENVBR24HPJ1IB2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20813026483.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA24HOS25230E8with ducted air handler DUA24HIDU230X54 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742448
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS30HPJ1OE3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21382984875.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA27HOM23230X29 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742476
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENVBR60HPJ1OAwith ducted air handler ENVBR48HPJ1IB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20813026682.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA48HOM25230X39 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742470
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class54.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DE60HOS18230E5with ducted air handler DE60HIDU230X5Also listed as DEC60HOS18230S5A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 202635792
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KULA09HPL1OBwith ductless indoor unit KULA09HPL1IB15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21382984192.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA06HOS28230E8with ductless indoor unit DEA06HIW25230E8Also listed as DEA09HOS25230E813 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742428
Non-ducted, 2 tons71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21117434777.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA24HOS25230E8with ductless indoor unit DEA24HIW25230E84 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742427
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS42HPJ1OE7 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21117435082.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DEA36HOM25230X38 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742466
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DEA48HOM25230X36 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742469

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingBOREALELIOS
COP at 5°Fbeats 89% · 2.21MBRS18HPJ1OENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 2.45DEA12HOS25230E8Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 85% · 89%MBRS30HPJ1OEDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 95% · 103%DEA36HOS28230E8Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 82% · 10.0MBRS30HPJ1OENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 10.3DE48HOS25230E3Also listed as DEA48HOS28230E8Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 95% · 27.0KULA09HPL1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 24.6DEA27HOM23230X2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 89% · 14.6KULA09HPL1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 14.0DEA24HOS25230E8Non-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 86% · 14,500 Btu/hKULA18HPJ1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 41,000 Btu/hDEA36HOS28230E8Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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