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BOREAL vs SLIMAIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, SLIMAIR scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. BOREAL has 28 outdoor models, SLIMAIR has 54 outdoor models. BOREAL and SLIMAIR 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 SLIMAIR 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, SLIMAIR scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • BOREAL
  • SLIMAIR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
BOREALSLIMAIR

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingBOREALSLIMAIR
Efficiency index43%median —59%median —
COP at 5°F31%median 1.8147%median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F60% (higher)median 74%58% (higher)median 73%
HSPF237%median 8.571%median 9.5
SEER244%median 19.865%median 19.8
EER242%median 11.349%median 11.0
Heating capacity at 5°F55%median 13,300 Btu/h57%median 20,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models2854
AHRI certifications48100

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBOREALSLIMAIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)71.4%20 models66.7%36 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)67.9%19 models59.3%32 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models1.9%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)67.9%19 models50%27 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models1.9%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate39.3%11 models42.6%23 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
  • SLIMAIR
  • 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 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 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 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 typeBOREALSLIMAIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2 · index 43%10 · index 63%
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index 53%4 · index 70%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 52%11 · index 56%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 63%11 · index 57%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone2 · index 49%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons15 · index 33%18 · index 62%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 46%4 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons8 · index 56%8 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone4 · index 51%

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 modelSLIMAIRCold-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 21746405574.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC09VH2AGwith ducted air handler SHD09VC2AG8 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 214606463
Ducted, 2 tons50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21382984780.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC24VE2AGwith ducted air handler SHD24VC2AG4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 214606459
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 20813026579.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC36VH2AGwith ducted air handler SHD36VC2AG6 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 214606467
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 20813026686.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC48VH2AGwith ducted air handler SHD48VC2AG6 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 214606468
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 2 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 21117434686.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC09VE2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHM09VE2AG12 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 208447936
Non-ducted, 2 tons76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS24HPJ1OE2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21117434786.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC24VH2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHLZ24VC2AG3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 214728303
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MBRS42HPJ1OE7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21117435073.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC4Z36VE2AG4 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 213886044
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC5Z48VE2AG2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213886047

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 modelSLIMAIRAll-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 21746405585.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC09VH2AGwith ducted air handler SHD09VC2AG10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214606463
Ducted, 2 tons60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENVBR36HPJ1OAwith ducted air handler ENVBR24HPJ1IB2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20813026483.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC24VE2AGwith ducted air handler SHD24VC2AG4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214606459
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MBRS30HPJ1OE3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21382984874.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC3Z27VE2AG10 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213886042
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 20813026682.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC5Z48VE2AG10 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213886048
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC60VC2AGwith ducted air handler SHD60VC2AG2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214606462
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KULA09HPL1OBwith ductless indoor unit KULA09HPL1IB15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21382984186.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC09VE2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHM09VE2AG18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208447936
Non-ducted, 2 tons71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MBRS24HPJ1OE3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21117434770.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHCD24VC2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHMZ24VC2AGAlso listed as SHC24VH2AG4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208447943
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 21117435070.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC4Z36VE2AG7 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213886044
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC5Z48VE2AG4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213886047

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
RatingBOREALSLIMAIR
COP at 5°Fbeats 89% · 2.21MBRS18HPJ1OENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 2.22SHC24VE2AGNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 85% · 89%MBRS30HPJ1OEDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 95% · 113%SHC09VE2AGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 82% · 10.0MBRS30HPJ1OENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 10.3SHC48VH2AGDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 95% · 27.0KULA09HPL1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 20.9SHC5Z48VE2AGDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 89% · 14.6KULA09HPL1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 15.8SHCD09VC2AGAlso listed as SHC09VH2AGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 86% · 14,500 Btu/hKULA18HPJ1OBNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 53,000 Btu/hSHC55VH2AGDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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