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BOREAL vs HITACHI heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, HITACHI scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. BOREAL has 49 outdoor models, HITACHI has 63 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 6 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 index53%median —68%median —
COP at 5°F43%median 1.9866%median 2.13
Capacity retention at 5°F59%median 79%60%median 79%
HSPF241%median 9.070%median 10.0
SEER259%median 19.063%median 21.8
EER258%median 12.075%median 13.0
Heating capacity at 5°F56%median 17,500 Btu/h64%median 18,500 Btu/h
Outdoor models4963
AHRI certifications129164

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBOREALHITACHI
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)87.8%43 models95.2%60 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)87.8%43 models95.2%60 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)6.1%3 models17.5%11 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)87.8%43 models82.5%52 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge6.1%3 models17.5%11 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate61.2%30 models79.4%50 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
  • HITACHI
  • 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 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 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 tons8 · index 65%10 · index 70%
Ducted, 2 tons6 · index 60%6 · index 71%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons11 · index 55%11 · index 74%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons7 · index 71%6 · index 70%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons22 · index 47%33 · index 70%
Non-ducted, 2 tons6 · index 49%12 · index 67%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons6 · index 42%12 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 39%5 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 54%

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 tons69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUL09HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC09HPJ132IAAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OA7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21556026779.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-12BLFASDQ1with ducted air handler PPIM-B12UFA1DQ8 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 215359321
Ducted, 2 tons76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ENX24HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler ENX24HPJ132IA5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542068575.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PAS-24BLFASDQ1with ducted air handler PPIM-B24UFA1DQ6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215222823
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 21542068283.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-30BLFASDQ1with ducted air handler PPIM-B30UFA1DQ9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 215222843
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 21542068372.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)PAS-48BUFASDQ1with ducted air handler PPIM-B48UFA1DQ2 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 213685842
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 21542478391.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-18BLFASDQ1with ductless indoor unit PCI-B18UFA1DQ29 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 215222824
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL24HPJ132OA5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542476993.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-24BLFASDQ1with ductless indoor unit PCI-B24UFA1DQ12 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215222825
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL36HPJ132OA6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542477197.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-30BLFASDQ1with ductless indoor unit PCI-B30UFA1DQ9 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215222826
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MUL42HPJ132OA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21542477259.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)PAS-48BUFASDQ1with ductless indoor unit PCI-B48UFA1DQ2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 214723262
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 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUL09HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC09HPJ132IAAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OA8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21556026785.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-12BLFASDQ1with ducted air handler PPIM-B12UFA1DQ10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215359321
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 21542068580.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-24BUFASDQ1-LACwith ducted air handler PPIM-B24UFA1DQ6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217450753
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 21556025790.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-36BLFASDQ1with ducted air handler PPIM-B36UFA1DQ11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215222841
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 21542068485.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-48BUFASDQ1with ducted air handler PPIM-B48UFA1DQ6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213685842
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 21542478390.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-12BLFASDQ1with ductless indoor unit PCIM-B12UFA1DQ31 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215359322
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 21542481781.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-24BUFASDQ1-LACwith ductless indoor unit PCI-B24UFA1DQ12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217450777
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL30HPJ132OA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542477093.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-36BLFASDQ1with ductless indoor unit PCI-B36UFA1DQ12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215222842
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL42HPJ132OA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542477273.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PAS-48BUFASDQ1with ductless indoor unit PCI-B48UFA1DQ5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214723262
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class54.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)HVAHP060C23S*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217036518

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 88% · 2.10MUL36HPJ132OANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 100% · 2.50PAS-30BUFASDQ1Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 94% · 100%ENX60HPJ132OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 123%RAC-XJ24WHBANon-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 90% · 10.5ENX60HPJ132OAAlso listed as ARX60HPJ1R32OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 11.0RAM-X36N4HAADucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 22.5KUL18HPJ132OADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 24.2HVAHP048C23S*Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 97% · 14.2KUL09HPJ132OAAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 16.8HVAHP036C23S*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hENX60HPJ132OAAlso listed as ARX60HPJ1R32OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 23,000 Btu/hRAC-XJ18WHAAAlso listed as RAC-XJ18WHBANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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