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EMI vs Gridless: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical EMI model beats 62% and a typical Gridless model 70%. Gridless rates higher overall.

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

EMI

62%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

15 models listed

Gridless

70%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

15 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°FEMI: Beats 56%Gridless: Beats 64%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FEMI: Beats 63%Gridless: Beats 73%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2EMI: Beats 69%Gridless: Beats 62%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2EMI: Beats 61%Gridless: Beats 73%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2EMI: Beats 60%Gridless: Beats 73%

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

    EMI
    87%
    Gridless
    100%

  • Xcel CC

    EMI
    73%
    Gridless
    100%

  • CEE Advanced

    EMI
    7%
    Gridless
    13%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    EMI
    73%
    Gridless
    100%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

EMI

  1. 1EMXMZ436DAEMI3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 106% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.5score / 100
  2. 2EMXMZ327DAEMI2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    72.7score / 100

Gridless

  1. 1GRID36OCwith ducted air handler GRID36VAHGridless2.5 tons · 32,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 97% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.15 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    87.9score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view