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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 58% and a typical Gridless model 60%. Gridless rates slightly higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

EMI

58%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

22 models listed

Gridless

60%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

11 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 49%Gridless: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FEMI: Beats 67%Gridless: Beats 77%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2EMI: Beats 68%Gridless: Beats 60%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2EMI: Beats 57%Gridless: Beats 68%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2EMI: Beats 48%Gridless: Beats 56%

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
    68%
    Gridless
    100%

  • Xcel CC

    EMI
    64%
    Gridless
    100%

  • CEE Advanced

    EMI
    0%
    Gridless
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    EMI
    73%
    Gridless
    91%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 3.5–4.5 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 Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

EMI

  1. 1MHMZ548DAEMI4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    76.2score / 100

Gridless

  1. 1O-AYD42SD-5Gridless3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    41.8score / 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