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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 average

49 models listed

SLIMAIR

60%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

48 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%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

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%
    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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

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

SLIMAIR

  1. 1SHC06AH2AGwith ducted air handler SHDL06AC2AGSLIMAIR0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 93.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.41 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    95.0score / 100Heating 94 · Cooling 97
  2. 2SHC09AH2AGwith ducted air handler SHDL09AC2AGSLIMAIR1 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
  3. 3SHC09AE2AGwith ducted air handler SHD09AC2AGSLIMAIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR 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

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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