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BOREAL vs HITACHI heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, HITACHI scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. BOREAL has 28 outdoor models, HITACHI has 27 outdoor models. BOREAL and HITACHI 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 HITACHI 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, HITACHI scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • BOREAL
  • HITACHI
  • Other ranked manufacturers
BOREALHITACHI

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingBOREALHITACHI
Efficiency index43%median —58%median —
COP at 5°F31%median 1.8172%median 2.25
Capacity retention at 5°F60% (higher)median 74%57% (higher)median 76%
HSPF237%median 8.565%median 9.8
SEER244%median 19.850%median 20.0
EER242%median 11.353%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F55% (higher)median 13,300 Btu/h49% (higher)median 14,500 Btu/h
Outdoor models2827
AHRI certifications4847

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBOREALHITACHI
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)71.4%20 models74.1%20 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)67.9%19 models74.1%20 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)67.9%19 models66.7%18 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate39.3%11 models14.8%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 · 7 groups where both have models
  • BOREAL
  • HITACHI
  • 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 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.1032 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 typeBOREALHITACHI
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2 · index 43%4 · index 50%
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index 53%2 · index 56%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 52%3 · index 71%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 63%3 · index 66%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons15 · index 33%15 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 46%5 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons8 · index 56%4 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone2 · index 60%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 69%

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 modelHITACHICold-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 21746405555.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAS-1.0PNNBDH1with ducted air handler RPIL-1.0PNN1DH2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 206750852
Ducted, 2 tons50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21382984764.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAS-3.0PNNBDH1with ducted air handler RPIM-3.0PNN1DH1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 206750858
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 20813026578.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAS-4.0PNNBDH1with ducted air handler RPIM-4.0PNN1DH2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 206750860
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 208130266None 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 21117434681.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAC-SH09WHLAEwith ductless indoor unit RAS-SH09RHLAE13 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 206907172
Non-ducted, 2 tons76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21117434776.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAC-PH24WHLAEwith ductless indoor unit RAS-PH24PHLAE3 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 207200483
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS42HPJ1OE7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21117435077.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAS-4.0PNNBDH1with ductless indoor unit RCI-4.0PNN1DH3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 206750859
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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 modelHITACHIAll-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 21746405557.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAS-1.0PNNBDH1with ducted air handler RPIL-1.0PNN1DH3 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206750852
Ducted, 2 tons60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ENVBR36HPJ1OAwith ducted air handler ENVBR24HPJ1IB2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20813026455.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)RAS-3.0PNNBDH1with ducted air handler RPIM-3.0PNN1DH1 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206750858
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS30HPJ1OE3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21382984874.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)HVAHP036B21S*2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203994975
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 20813026677.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)HVAHP048B21S*2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203994976
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 21382984172.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RAC-SH09WHLAEwith ductless indoor unit RAS-SH09RHLAE14 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206907172
Non-ducted, 2 tons71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21117434773.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAC-PH24WHLAEwith ductless indoor unit RAS-PH24PHLAE4 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207200483
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 21117435074.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)HVAHP036B21S*3 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203994969
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class67.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)HVAHP048B21S*1 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203994970
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class68.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)HVAHP060B21S*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203994965

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
RatingBOREALHITACHI
COP at 5°Fbeats 89% · 2.21MBRS18HPJ1OENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 2.30RAC-EH24WHLAENon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 85% · 89%MBRS30HPJ1OEDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 133%RAC-PH09WHLAENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 82% · 10.0MBRS30HPJ1OENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 10.0HVAHP048B21S*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 95% · 27.0KULA09HPL1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 93% · 23.1HVAHP048B21S*Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 89% · 14.6KULA09HPL1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 16.7HVAHP048B21S*Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 86% · 14,500 Btu/hKULA18HPJ1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 23,000 Btu/hRAC-PH18WHLAENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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