First Co. vs NG Trade heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, NG Trade scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. First Co. has 16 outdoor models, NG Trade has 15 outdoor models. First Co. and NG Trade 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 NG Trade 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, NG Trade scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

First Co.
NG Trade
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.	NG Trade
Efficiency index	7%median —	55%median —
COP at 5°F	16%median 1.60	48%median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F	9%median 46%	39%median 67%
HSPF2	2%median 6.3	59%median 9.2
SEER2	1%median 11.9	67%median 21.4
EER2	10%median 10.0	55%median 12.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	9%median 8,000 Btu/h	42%median 12,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	16	15
AHRI certifications	34	25

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	First Co.	NG Trade
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	80%12 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	73.3%11 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	46.7%7 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	33.3%5 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 · 1 groups where both have models

First Co.
NG Trade
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.	NG Trade
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	8 · index 6%	1 · index 59%
Ducted, 2 tons	8 · index 8%	None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	2 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	9 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	2 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	3 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · index 48%

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	NG TradeCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)	52.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH180C1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213307863
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH270C1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213307866
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	75.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)OMEGA181Ewith ductless indoor unit IMEGA181E4 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 214442655
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)OMEGA241Ewith ductless indoor unit IMEGA241E1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 214377801
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH270C1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 213307865
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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	NG TradeAll-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	59.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MOBMH180C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213307863
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	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH270C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213307866
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH480C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213867401
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	84.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)OMEGA091Ewith ductless indoor unit IMEGA091E9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214377798
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)OMEGA241Ewith ductless indoor unit IMEGA241E2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214377801
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH270C3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213307865
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH480C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213867400

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.	NG Trade
COP at 5°F	beats 64% · 2.08EHE30***BDucted, 2 tons	beats 96% · 2.22OMEGA241ENon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 20% · 55%EHE30***BDucted, 2 tons	beats 78% · 99%OMEGA181ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 14% · 7.224WHHPDucted, 2 tons	beats 95% · 9.7MOBMH480CDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 11% · 13.519WHHPDucted, 2 tons	beats 98% · 21.0MOBMH270CDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 78% · 12.419WHHPDucted, 2 tons	beats 95% · 15.8OMEGA091ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 30% · 14,000 Btu/hEHE30***BDucted, 2 tons	beats 90% · 17,742 Btu/hOMEGA181ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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