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BOSTON AC vs Live cool heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, BOSTON AC and Live cool split the 6 ratings 3–3. BOSTON AC has 6 outdoor models, Live cool has 6 outdoor models. BOSTON AC and Live cool 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.
BOSTON AC and Live cool 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, BOSTON AC and Live cool split the 6 ratings 3–3.
  • BOSTON AC
  • Live cool
  • Other ranked manufacturers
BOSTON ACLive cool

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingBOSTON ACLive cool
Efficiency index56% (higher)median —52% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F55% (higher)median 1.9923% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F52% (higher)median 73%50% (higher)median 73%
HSPF245%median 9.047%median 9.0
SEER265%median 22.068%median 22.5
EER259%median 12.563%median 12.8
Heating capacity at 5°F43% (higher)median 9,070 Btu/h38% (higher)median 8,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models66
AHRI certifications66

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBOSTON ACLive cool
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%6 models100%6 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%6 models100%6 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)83.3%5 models66.7%4 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models66.7%4 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 · 2 groups where both have models
  • BOSTON AC
  • Live cool
  • All models of the group
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 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 typeBOSTON ACLive cool
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons5 · index 58%5 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 2 tons1 · index 47%1 · index 46%

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 typeBOSTON ACCold-climate score, best modelLive coolCold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons68.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BA12HCT23X2Owith ductless indoor unit BA12HCT23X2I5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21472028047.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)LWSM-12IR410AHS23with ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR410AHS234 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218037240
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)None 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 typeBOSTON ACAll-around score, best modelLive coolAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BA12HCT23X2Owith ductless indoor unit BA12HCT23X2I5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21472028060.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)LWSM-09IR410AHS23with ductless indoor unit LWSM-09IR410AHS235 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218037239
Non-ducted, 2 tons46.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BA24HCT20X2Owith ductless indoor unit BA24HCT20X2I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21479663746.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)LWSM-24IR410AHS20with ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR410AHS201 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218037242

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
RatingBOSTON ACLive cool
COP at 5°Fbeats 89% · 2.21BA18HCT22X2ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 26% · 1.80LWSM-24IR410AHS20Non-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 61% · 76%BA12HCT23X2ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 64% · 77%LWSM-09IR410AHS23Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 57% · 9.5BA12HCT23X2ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 57% · 9.5LWSM-12IR410AHS23Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 73% · 23.0BA12HCT23X2ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 79% · 23.5LWSM-09IR410AHS23Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 68% · 13.0BA12HCT23X2ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 68% · 13.0LWSM-09IR410AHS23Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 73% · 12,600 Btu/hBA18HCT22X2ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 66% · 11,900 Btu/hLWSM-18IR410AHS21.5Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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