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BOREAL vs Ephoca heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, BOREAL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. BOREAL has 28 outdoor models, Ephoca has 30 outdoor models. BOREAL and Ephoca 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 Ephoca 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, BOREAL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • BOREAL
  • Ephoca
  • Other ranked manufacturers
BOREALEphoca

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingBOREALEphoca
Efficiency index43% (higher)median —20% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F31% (higher)median 1.814% (higher)median 1.72
Capacity retention at 5°F60% (higher)median 74%48% (higher)median 73%
HSPF237%median 8.538%median 9.2
SEER244% (higher)median 19.87% (higher)median 13.9
EER242% (higher)median 11.314% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F55% (higher)median 13,300 Btu/h5% (higher)median 6,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models2830
AHRI certifications4830

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBOREALEphoca
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)71.4%20 models0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)67.9%19 models0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)67.9%19 models0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate39.3%11 models13.3%4 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 · 2 groups where both have models
  • BOREAL
  • Ephoca
  • 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 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 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 typeBOREALEphoca
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2 · index 43%26 · index 20%
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index 53%None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 52%None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 63%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons15 · index 33%4 · index 25%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 46%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons8 · index 56%None

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 modelEphocaCold-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 21746405541.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVP10*4*1Also listed as AVP10*4*2, AVE10*4*2, AVK10*4*2, AXP10*4*1 and 4 more26 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 213607332
Ducted, 2 tons50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213829847No models in this size class
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 208130265No models in this size class
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 208130266No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MBRS18HPJ1OE13 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 21117434632.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)APP10*4*1with ductless indoor unit APP10*4*1Also listed as APP10*4*2, APK10*4*24 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213607324
Non-ducted, 2 tons76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 211174347No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS42HPJ1OE7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 211174350No models in this size class

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 modelEphocaAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons55.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KULA12HPJ1OBwith ducted air handler BDUCT12HPJ1DA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21746405528.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVP10*4*1Also listed as AVP10*4*2, AVE10*4*2, AVK10*4*2, AXP10*4*1 and 4 more26 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213607332
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 208130264No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS30HPJ1OE3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213829848No models in this size class
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 208130266No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KULA09HPL1OBwith ductless indoor unit KULA09HPL1IB15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21382984125.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)APP10*4*1with ductless indoor unit APP10*4*1Also listed as APP10*4*2, APK10*4*24 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213607324
Non-ducted, 2 tons71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211174347No models in this size class
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 211174350No models in this size class

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
RatingBOREALEphoca
COP at 5°Fbeats 89% · 2.21MBRS18HPJ1OENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 6% · 1.75APP10*4*1Also listed as APP10*4*2, APK10*4*2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 85% · 89%MBRS30HPJ1OEDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 68% · 81%APP10*4*1Also listed as APP10*4*2, APK10*4*2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 82% · 10.0MBRS30HPJ1OENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 73% · 9.9AVP10*4*1Also listed as AVP10*4*2, AVE10*4*2, AVK10*4*2, AXP10*4*1 and 4 moreDucted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 95% · 27.0KULA09HPL1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 9% · 14.4AVP10*4*1Also listed as AVP10*4*2, AVE10*4*2, AVK10*4*2, AXP10*4*1 and 4 moreDucted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 89% · 14.6KULA09HPL1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 34% · 11.2APP10*4*1Also listed as APP10*4*2, APK10*4*2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 86% · 14,500 Btu/hKULA18HPJ1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 11% · 6,700 Btu/hAPP10*4*1Also listed as APP10*4*2, APK10*4*2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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