First Co. vs MITS AIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, MITS AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. First Co. has 16 outdoor models, MITS AIR has 16 outdoor models. First Co. and MITS AIR have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · 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.

First Co. and MITS AIR on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, MITS AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

First Co.
MITS AIR
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	First Co.	MITS AIR
Efficiency index	7%median —	42%median —
COP at 5°F	16%median 1.60	46%median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F	9%median 46%	50%median 72%
HSPF2	2%median 6.3	68%median 9.4
SEER2	1%median 11.9	39%median 15.3
EER2	10%median 10.0	20%median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	9%median 8,000 Btu/h	59%median 21,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models	16	16
AHRI certifications	34	33

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	First Co.	MITS AIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	31.3%5 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	31.3%5 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	50%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	56.3%9 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 2 groups where both have models

First Co.
MITS AIR
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 Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	First Co.	MITS AIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	8 · index 6%	3 · index 32%
Ducted, 2 tons	8 · index 8%	3 · index 48%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	6 · index 43%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	4 · index 44%

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

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	First Co.Cold-climate score, best model	MITS AIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)	63.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOX430U-18HFN1-Mwith ducted air handler MAC-24HWDN1-MN01 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 211911380
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)	67.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOX430-24HFN1-MR0with ducted air handler MAC-24HWDN1-MN0Also listed as MOX430U-24HFN1-MR03 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 211911372
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOE31U-36HFN1-Mwith ducted air handler MAC-36HWDN1-MN03 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 211911383
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOE30U-48HFN1-M-[X1]with ducted air handler MVC-48HWFN1-M2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 211257309

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	First Co.All-around score, best model	MITS AIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	11.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)EHE18***B7 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213369561	63.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MOX430U-18HFN1-Mwith ducted air handler MVC-18HWFN1-M3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211257305
Ducted, 2 tons	18.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)EHE24***B6 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213369562	65.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MOD30-24HFN1-MWwith ducted air handler MVC-24HWFN1-M3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211257306
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	68.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOX630-36HFN1-M3Xwith ducted air handler MVC-36HWFN1-M6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213483768
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOE30U-55HFN1-Mwith ducted air handler MVC-60HWFN1-M4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211257310

All-around board, every manufacturer

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.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	First Co.	MITS AIR
COP at 5°F	beats 64% · 2.08EHE30***BDucted, 2 tons	beats 76% · 2.20MOX430U-18HFN1-MDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 20% · 55%EHE30***BDucted, 2 tons	beats 92% · 92%MOE30U-48HFN1-M-[X1]Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 14% · 7.224WHHPDucted, 2 tons	beats 93% · 10.0MOE31U-36HFN1-MDucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 11% · 13.519WHHPDucted, 2 tons	beats 67% · 17.4MOD30-24HFN1-MWDucted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 78% · 12.419WHHPDucted, 2 tons	beats 72% · 12.4MOX430U-18HFN1-MDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 30% · 14,000 Btu/hEHE30***BDucted, 2 tons	beats 96% · 38,000 Btu/hMOX630-36HFN1-M3XDucted, 2.5–3 tons

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