Cowsar vs MDX heat pumps
Measured against models of the same size and duct type, MDX scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. Cowsar has 12 outdoor models, MDX has 12 outdoor models. Cowsar and MDX 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.
- Cowsar
- MDX
- Other ranked manufacturers
Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of
| Rating | Cowsar | MDX |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency index | 34%median — | 66%median — |
| COP at 5°F | 61%median 2.03 | 81%median 2.20 |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | 28%median 68% | 64%median 75% |
| HSPF2 | 25%median 9.0 | 79%median 9.7 |
| SEER2 | 36%median 19.8 | 70%median 18.0 |
| EER2 | 23%median 10.6 | 46%median 11.0 |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | 35%median 10,400 Btu/h | 64%median 30,500 Btu/h |
| Outdoor models | 12 | 12 |
| AHRI certifications | 12 | 12 |
Share of models meeting each standard
| Standard | Cowsar | MDX |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 75%9 models | 91.7%11 models |
| CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 75%9 models | 91.7%11 models |
| CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP) | 0%0 models | 16.7%2 models |
| Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025) | 50%6 models | 91.7%11 models |
| DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge | 0%0 models | 16.7%2 models |
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | 0%0 models | 100%12 models |
Sizes and duct types offered
Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
- Cowsar
- MDX
- All models of the group
Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.
Source: AHRI Directory · as of
| Size and duct type | Cowsar | MDX |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, 2 tons | None | 3 · index 79% |
| Ducted, 2.5–3 tons | None | 3 · index 63% |
| Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | None | 6 · index 61% |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 9 · index 37% | None |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 3 · index 24% | None |
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
| Size and duct type | CowsarCold-climate score, best model | MDXCold-climate score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, 2 tons | No models in this size class | 89.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCHA-24HDCTO2with ducted air handler MCHA-24HDCANI23 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218516908 |
| Ducted, 2.5–3 tons | No models in this size class | 78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCHA-36HDCTO2with ducted air handler MCHA-36HDCANI23 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218516909 |
| Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | No models in this size class | 79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCHA-48HDCTO2with ducted air handler MCHA-48HDCANI26 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218516910 |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 47.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SE7203P-9Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203S-9KAlso listed as SE7203P-9K-ASZ, SE7203PW-9K-ZAZ6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 218787879 | No models in this size class |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify) | No models in this size class |
All-around best
| Size and duct type | CowsarAll-around score, best model | MDXAll-around score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, 2 tons | No models in this size class | 85.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCHA-24HDCTO2with ducted air handler MCHA-24HDCANI23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218516908 |
| Ducted, 2.5–3 tons | No models in this size class | 65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MHPA-36DCTOwith ducted air handler MHPA-36DCTI3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217933371 |
| Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | No models in this size class | 68.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MHPA-48DCTOwith ducted air handler MHPA-48DCTI6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217933372 |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 39.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SE7203P-9Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203S-9KAlso listed as SE7203P-9K-ASZ, SE7203PW-9K-ZAZ9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787879 | No models in this size class |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 23.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SE7203P-24Kwith ductless indoor unit SE7203S-24KAlso listed as SE7203PW-24K-ZAZ, SE7203P-24K-ASZ3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787883 | No models in this size class |
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.
| Rating | Cowsar | MDX |
|---|---|---|
| COP at 5°F | beats 74% · 2.09SE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZ, SE7203S-18K-ASZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 89% · 2.30MCHA-36HDCTO2Ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | beats 61% · 80%SE7203P-9KAlso listed as SE7203P-9K-ASZ, SE7203PW-9K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 92% · 100%MCHA-24HDCTO2Ducted, 2 tons |
| HSPF2 | beats 29% · 9.0SE7203P-9KAlso listed as SE7203P-9K-ASZ, SE7203PW-9K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 90% · 10.5MCHA-48HDCTO2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons |
| SEER2 | beats 56% · 22.0A7201P-12K-ELAlso listed as A7201PW-12K-EL, A7201PW-12K-ZAZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 87% · 20.0MHPA-24DCTODucted, 2 tons |
| EER2 | beats 28% · 11.0SE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZ, SE7203S-18K-ASZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 98% · 14.0MHPA-24DCTODucted, 2 tons |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | beats 73% · 12,600 Btu/hSE7203S-18KAlso listed as SE7203SW-18K-ZAZ, SE7203S-18K-ASZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 89% · 24,000 Btu/hMCHA-24HDCTO2Ducted, 2 tons |