Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

BOREAL vs ELIOS heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ELIOS scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. BOREAL has 49 outdoor models, ELIOS has 48 outdoor models. BOREAL and ELIOS have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

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 3 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 index53%median —56%median —
COP at 5°F43%median 1.9857%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F59% (higher)median 79%53% (higher)median 74%
HSPF241%median 9.065%median 9.5
SEER259%median 19.059%median 20.0
EER258% (higher)median 12.049% (higher)median 11.7
Heating capacity at 5°F56%median 17,500 Btu/h59%median 18,850 Btu/h
Outdoor models4948
AHRI certifications129104

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBOREALELIOS
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)87.8%43 models87.5%42 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)87.8%43 models87.5%42 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)6.1%3 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)87.8%43 models81.3%39 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge6.1%3 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate61.2%30 models77.1%37 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • BOREAL
  • ELIOS
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 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 tons8 · index 65%9 · index 66%
Ducted, 2 tons6 · index 60%6 · index 54%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons11 · index 55%8 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons7 · index 71%5 · index 64%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 65%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons22 · index 47%16 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 2 tons6 · index 49%5 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons6 · index 42%9 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 39%3 · index 50%

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 tons69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUL09HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC09HPJ132IAAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OA7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21556026781.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ESHEA09C2AN1with ducted air handler GDHRA09C2AS17 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 216046626
Ducted, 2 tons76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENX24HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler ENX24HPJ132IA5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542068577.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ESHEA24C2AN1with ducted air handler GDHRA24C2AS16 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216046629
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENX36HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler ENX36HPJ132IAAlso listed as ARX36HPJ1R32OA6 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 21542068282.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EXHZA3652AV16 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 217900393
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ENX60HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler ENX60HPJ132IAAlso listed as ARX60HPJ1R32OA6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21542068382.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)EXHZA4862AV15 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217900396
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons63.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUL09HPL132OAwith ductless indoor unit KUL09HPL132IAAlso listed as NOV09HPL132OA21 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 21542478380.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ESHEA09C2AN1with ductless indoor unit GKHRA09C2AS113 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 216046618
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL24HPJ132OA5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542476977.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ESHMA24C2AN1with ductless indoor unit EWHMA24C2AS15 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216046616
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MUL36HPJ132OA6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542477172.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)EXHZA3652AV17 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 217900394
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL42HPJ132OA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21542477268.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EXHZA4862AV13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217900397

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 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUL09HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC09HPJ132IAAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OA8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21556026780.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ESHEA09C2AN1with ducted air handler GDHRA09C2AS19 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216046626
Ducted, 2 tons73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENX24HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler ENX24HPJ132IA7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542068578.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ESHEA24C2AN1with ducted air handler GDHRA24C2AS16 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216046629
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons64.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)BRS36HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC36HPJ132IA10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21556025783.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EXHZA3652AV18 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217900393
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENX48HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler ENX48HPJ132IAAlso listed as ENX60HPJ132OA, ARX60HPJ1R32OA7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542068485.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EXHSA4862AV15 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216046646
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class65.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ESHUA60R2AN1with ducted air handler GDHLA60R2AS11 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216046632
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUL09HPL132OAwith ductless indoor unit KUL09HPL132IAAlso listed as NOV09HPL132OA22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542478379.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ESHMA09C2AN1with ductless indoor unit EWHMA09C2AS116 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216046613
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUL24HPJ132OAwith ductless indoor unit KUL24HPJ132IA5 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542481772.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ESHMA24C2AN1with ductless indoor unit EWHMA24C2AS15 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216046616
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MUL30HPJ132OA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542477066.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EXHZA3652AV19 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217900392
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MUL42HPJ132OA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542477262.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)EXHZA4862AV13 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217900395

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 88% · 2.10MUL36HPJ132OANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 2.51ESHEA12C2AN1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 94% · 100%ENX60HPJ132OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 97% · 107%ESHMA30R2AN1Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 90% · 10.5ENX60HPJ132OAAlso listed as ARX60HPJ1R32OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 11.0EXHZA4862AV1Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 22.5KUL18HPJ132OADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20.4EXHSA4862AV1Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 97% · 14.2KUL09HPJ132OAAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 15.0ESHMA09C2AN1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hENX60HPJ132OAAlso listed as ARX60HPJ1R32OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 97% · 39,000 Btu/hESHMB36R2AN1Ducted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers