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CAAIR vs COVAC: heat pump ratings compared

One of these brands has too few models with every rating for an overall score; see each rating below.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

CAAIR

—

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Not enough rated models

3 models listed

COVAC

35%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

3 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°FCAAIR: Beats 66%COVAC: Beats 47%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCAAIR: Not ratedCOVAC: Beats 13%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CAAIR: Beats 17%COVAC: Beats 28%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CAAIR: Beats 20%COVAC: Beats 46%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CAAIR: Beats 18%COVAC: Beats 36%

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

    CAAIR
    0%
    COVAC
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    CAAIR
    0%
    COVAC
    33%

  • CEE Advanced

    CAAIR
    0%
    COVAC
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CAAIR
    0%
    COVAC
    0%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

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

CAAIR

None of CAAIR’s ductless, up to 1.5 tons models has all five ratings.

COVAC

  1. 1COV-S5-09R454-Owith ductless indoor unit COV-S5-09R454-ICOVAC1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 34.7Meets 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
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Good
    44.9score / 100Heating 35 · Cooling 55
  2. 2COV-S5-18R454-Owith ductless indoor unit COV-S5-18R454-ICOVAC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 61% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    61% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.99 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    34.3score / 100Heating 33 · Cooling 35
  3. 3COV-S5-12R454-Owith ductless indoor unit COV-S5-12R454-ICOVAC1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 58% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.3 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    26.4score / 100Heating 20 · Cooling 33

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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