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BOREAL vs Multi MFG: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BOREAL model beats 53% and a typical Multi MFG model 61%. Multi MFG 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

Multi MFG

61%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

51 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%Multi MFG: Beats 62%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBOREAL: Beats 59%Multi MFG: Beats 62%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BOREAL: Beats 41%Multi MFG: Beats 75%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BOREAL: Beats 59%Multi MFG: Beats 60%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BOREAL: Beats 58%Multi MFG: Beats 51%

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%
    Multi MFG
    88%
  • Xcel CC

    BOREAL
    88%
    Multi MFG
    80%
  • CEE Advanced

    BOREAL
    6%
    Multi MFG
    4%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BOREAL
    61%
    Multi MFG
    69%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

BOREAL

  1. 1KUL09HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC09HPJ132IABOREALAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OA1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.14 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.6score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 97
  2. 2KUL18HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC18HPJ132IABOREAL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 47.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    72.5score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 97
  3. 3KUL12HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC12HPJ132IABOREALAlso listed as NOV12HPJ132OA1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.1score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 89

Multi MFG

  1. 1MSH-09HD-Bwith ducted air handler 9HCHP0-C-M-BMulti MFG1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    112% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 94
  2. 29MSZ-M-Bwith ducted air handler 9HHHP0-C-M-BMulti MFG1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.8score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 80
  3. 3HHS-18HD-Bwith ducted air handler 18MUC0-HP-BMulti MFG1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 86.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.3 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.1 (EER2)
    Great
    79.8score / 100Heating 87 · Cooling 73

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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