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BOREAL vs HITACHI: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BOREAL model beats 43% and a typical HITACHI model 58%. HITACHI 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

HITACHI

58%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

27 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%HITACHI: Beats 72%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBOREAL: Beats 60%HITACHI: Beats 57%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BOREAL: Beats 37%HITACHI: Beats 65%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BOREAL: Beats 44%HITACHI: Beats 50%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BOREAL: Beats 42%HITACHI: Beats 53%

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%
    HITACHI
    74%

  • Xcel CC

    BOREAL
    68%
    HITACHI
    67%

  • CEE Advanced

    BOREAL
    0%
    HITACHI
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BOREAL
    39%
    HITACHI
    15%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating 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. 1MBRS30HPJ1OEBOREAL2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 54.7Meets 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
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    53.1score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 52
  2. 2MBRS42HPJ1OEBOREAL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 52.1Meets 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
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    51.8score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 52
  3. 3MBRS36HPJ1OEBOREAL3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 50.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    51.1score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 52

HITACHI

  1. 1HVAHP036B21S*HITACHI3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 58.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.77 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    74.3score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 90
  2. 2RAS-4.0PNNBDH1with ducted air handler RPIM-4.0PNN1DHHITACHI3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.9 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    67.6score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 57

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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