Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

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 21 outdoor models, NG Trade has 32 outdoor models. First Co. and NG Trade have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

CompareData as of updated · 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
First Co.NG Trade

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingFirst Co.NG Trade
Efficiency index11%median —54%median —
COP at 5°F34%median 1.9063%median 2.01
Capacity retention at 5°F12%median 49%38%median 70%
HSPF21%median 6.356%median 9.3
SEER20%median 11.962%median 21.0
EER212%median 10.047%median 11.9
Heating capacity at 5°F14%median 8,000 Btu/h46%median 14,950 Btu/h
Outdoor models2132
AHRI certifications6145

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardFirst Co.NG Trade
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models84.4%27 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models81.3%26 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)0%0 models53.1%17 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models56.3%18 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 · 3 groups where both have models
  • First Co.
  • NG Trade
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeFirst Co.NG Trade
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons11 · index 9%3 · index 59%
Ducted, 2 tons7 · index 13%2 · index 58%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 15%5 · index 62%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone3 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 65%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone14 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone4 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone6 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone1 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 27%

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 typeFirst Co.Cold-climate score, best modelNG TradeCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 11 models qualify)72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH180D2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216598389
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)59.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZCENO24Kwith ducted air handler EZCENI24K2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216763022
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOSA323014 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217501893
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH480D3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216598398
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)OMSTAR091Ewith ductless indoor unit IMSTAR091E7 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 216732475
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)OMSTAR241Ewith ductless indoor unit IMSTAR241E3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216732478
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOSA323013 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218029190
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class60.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH480D1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216598399
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone 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 typeFirst Co.All-around score, best modelNG TradeAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons25.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)18WHHPBAwith ducted air handler 37CLX(*,Q,W)11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21683193174.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MOBMH180D3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216598389
Ducted, 2 tons30.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)24WHHPBAwith ducted air handler 37CLX(*,Q,W)7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21683193264.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MOBMH270D2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216598392
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons20.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)30WHHPBAwith ducted air handler 37CLX(*,Q,W)3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21683193380.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MOSA323015 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217501893
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH480D3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216598398
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH600D1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216598401
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)OMSTAR091Ewith ductless indoor unit IMSTAR091E14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216732475
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)OMSTAR241Ewith ductless indoor unit IMSTAR241E4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216732478
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class66.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOSA323015 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218029190
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class52.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH480D1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216598399
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOBMH600D1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216598400

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
RatingFirst Co.NG Trade
COP at 5°Fbeats 63% · 2.00EHE12***D***AAlso listed as EHE12***E***ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 2.21OSA32341Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 24% · 54%EPE30***DAlso listed as EPE30***EDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 80% · 67%MOBMH600DDucted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2beats 16% · 6.830WHHPBADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 13.0OMSTAR091ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 20% · 14.218WHHPBADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20.4MOBMH480DDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 76% · 12.518WHHPBADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 88% · 14.7OMSTAR091ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 38% · 8,000 Btu/hEHE18***D***AAlso listed as EHE18***E***ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 85% · 14,500 Btu/hMOSA32181Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers