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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 53% and a typical HITACHI model 68%. HITACHI rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

BOREAL

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

49 models listed

HITACHI

68%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

63 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 43%HITACHI: Beats 66%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBOREAL: Beats 59%HITACHI: Beats 60%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BOREAL: Beats 41%HITACHI: Beats 70%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BOREAL: Beats 59%HITACHI: Beats 63%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BOREAL: Beats 58%HITACHI: Beats 75%

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
    88%
    HITACHI
    95%

  • Xcel CC

    BOREAL
    88%
    HITACHI
    83%

  • CEE Advanced

    BOREAL
    6%
    HITACHI
    18%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BOREAL
    61%
    HITACHI
    79%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 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 Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

BOREAL

  1. 1KUL09HPL132OAwith ductless indoor unit KUL09HPL132IABOREALAlso listed as NOV09HPL132OA1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 95% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.83 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    63.1score / 100
  2. 2KUL09HPJ132OAwith ductless indoor unit KUL09HPJ132IABOREALAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OA1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    62.2score / 100
  3. 3MUL18HPJ132OABOREAL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    61.4score / 100

HITACHI

  1. 1PAS-18BLFASDQ1with ductless indoor unit PCI-B18UFA1DQHITACHI1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    91.6score / 100
  2. 2RAC-GJ18WHAAwith ductless indoor unit RAK-GJ18PHAAHITACHIAlso listed as RAC-GJ18WHBA1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 120% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    120% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.18 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    90.8score / 100
  3. 3RAC-XJ12WHAAwith ductless indoor unit RAK-XJ12PHAAHITACHI1 ton · 12,500 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 122% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    122% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.12 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    89.8score / 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.

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