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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%

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?

EMI

  1. 1EMXSZ106DAwith ductless indoor unit EMXWAL06DAEMI0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 96.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    14.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    96.2score / 100Heating 97 · Cooling 96
  2. 2EMXMZ218DAEMI1.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    81.9score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 91
  3. 3EMXSZ109DAwith ductless indoor unit EMXWAL09DAEMI1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 65.1Meets 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    27.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    80.6score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 96

Gridless

  1. 1GRID09OHHVwith ductless indoor unit GRID09WHHVGridless1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    32.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    94.5score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 99
  2. 2GRID12OHHVwith ductless indoor unit GRID12WHHVGridless1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    30.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    93.4score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 97
  3. 3GRID15OHHVwith ductless indoor unit GRID15WHHVGridless1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 80.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.6 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.7 (EER2)
    Great
    84.2score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 88

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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