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BOREAL vs SLIMAIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, SLIMAIR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. BOREAL has 49 outdoor models, SLIMAIR has 48 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 4 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 index53%median —60%median —
COP at 5°F43%median 1.9860%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F59%median 79%59%median 78%
HSPF241%median 9.073%median 10.0
SEER259%median 19.061%median 19.5
EER258% (higher)median 12.053% (higher)median 11.7
Heating capacity at 5°F56%median 17,500 Btu/h63%median 21,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models4948
AHRI certifications129117

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBOREALSLIMAIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)87.8%43 models89.6%43 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)87.8%43 models87.5%42 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)6.1%3 models2.1%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)87.8%43 models77.1%37 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge6.1%3 models2.1%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate61.2%30 models79.2%38 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
  • SLIMAIR
  • 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 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 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 typeBOREALSLIMAIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons8 · index 65%11 · index 76%
Ducted, 2 tons6 · index 60%5 · index 67%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons11 · index 55%9 · index 65%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons7 · index 71%10 · index 61%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone2 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons22 · index 47%16 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2 tons6 · index 49%4 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons6 · index 42%8 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 39%7 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 27%

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 tons69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUL09HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC09HPJ132IAAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OA7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21556026793.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC06AH2AGwith ducted air handler SHDL06AC2AG10 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 218472984
Ducted, 2 tons76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ENX24HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler ENX24HPJ132IA5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542068585.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC24AH2AGwith ducted air handler SHD24AC2AG5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216699327
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 21542068283.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC36AH2AGwith ducted air handler SHD36AC2AG7 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 216699328
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 21542068382.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC6Z48AH2AG10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 217456291
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
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 21542478393.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC06AH2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHM06AE2AG12 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 217500256
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL24HPJ132OA5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542476989.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC24AH2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHL24AC2AG4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216699351
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL36HPJ132OA6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21542477189.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC36AH2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHS36AC2AG6 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216699340
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUL42HPJ132OA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21542477269.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC6Z55AH2AG6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217456295
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 modelSLIMAIRAll-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 21556026795.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC06AH2AGwith ducted air handler SHDL06AC2AG11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218472984
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 21542068578.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC24AE2AGwith ducted air handler SHD24AC2AG5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216699334
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 21556025783.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC5Z36AH2AG9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217456288
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 21542068485.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC6Z48AC2AG10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217456276
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class65.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC60AC2AGwith ducted air handler SHD60AC2AG2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216699337
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 21542478393.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC06AH2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHM06AE2AG16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217500256
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 21542481774.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHC24AE2AGwith ductless indoor unit SHM24AE2AG4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216699318
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MUL30HPJ132OA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542477066.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC5Z36AH2AG8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217456287
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MUL42HPJ132OA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21542477262.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC6Z55AH2AG7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217456293
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHC6Z55AC2AG1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217456278

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 88% · 2.10MUL36HPJ132OANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 2.39SHC12AE2AGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 94% · 100%ENX60HPJ132OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 120%SHC09AH2AGDucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 90% · 10.5ENX60HPJ132OAAlso listed as ARX60HPJ1R32OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 11.0SHC6Z48AH2AGDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 22.5KUL18HPJ132OADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20.4SHC6Z48AC2AGDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 97% · 14.2KUL09HPJ132OAAlso listed as NOV09HPJ132OADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 14.4SHC06AH2AGDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hENX60HPJ132OAAlso listed as ARX60HPJ1R32OADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 39,500 Btu/hSHC36AH2AGNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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