BOREAL vs SLIMAIR: heat pump ratings compared
Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BOREAL model beats 53% and a typical SLIMAIR model 60%. SLIMAIR 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 average49 models listed
SLIMAIR
60%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
Well above average48 models listed
- Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FBOREAL: Beats 43%SLIMAIR: Beats 60%
- Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBOREAL: Beats 59%SLIMAIR: Beats 59%
- Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BOREAL: Beats 41%SLIMAIR: Beats 73%
- Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BOREAL: Beats 59%SLIMAIR: Beats 61%
- Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BOREAL: Beats 58%SLIMAIR: Beats 53%
Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison
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Rebate standards
CEE 2025
- BOREAL
- 88%
- SLIMAIR
- 90%
Xcel CC
- BOREAL
- 88%
- SLIMAIR
- 77%
CEE Advanced
- BOREAL
- 6%
- SLIMAIR
- 2%
ENERGY STAR CC
- BOREAL
- 61%
- SLIMAIR
- 79%
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). What size is my system?
BOREAL
- 1BRS36HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC36HPJ132IABOREAL3 tons · 33,600 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 46.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Below the middle
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.90 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 8.5 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 20.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Good
- 2MUL30HPJ132OABOREAL2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.88 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 8.1 (HSPF2)
- Below the middle
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.0 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 3ARXE30HPJ1R32OAwith ducted air handler ARX30HPJ1R32IABOREAL2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 62.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.14 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 8.3 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.0 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.5 (EER2)
- Good
SLIMAIR
- 1SHC5Z36AH2AGSLIMAIR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Top 10%
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.4 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.4 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 2SHC36AH2AGwith ducted air handler SHD36AC2AGSLIMAIR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.2Meets 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
- 2.10 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 11.1 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 17.7 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 3SHC4Z27AH2AGSLIMAIR2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 9.5 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.
Next steps
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