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.

GE Appliances and ZERO 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, ZERO scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

GE Appliances
ZERO
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	GE Appliances	ZERO
Efficiency index	43%median — · 27th ranked	53%median —
COP at 5°F	40%median 1.80 · 28th ranked	45%median 1.94
Capacity retention at 5°F	42%median 61% · 25th ranked	52%median 74%
HSPF2	48%median 8.1 · 17th ranked	57%median 9.5
SEER2	39%median 15.2 · 27th ranked	58%median 19.0
EER2	46%median 11.5 · 21st ranked	48%median 11.7
Heating capacity at 5°F	44%median 19,000 Btu/h · 24th ranked	55%median 18,750 Btu/h
Outdoor models	88	119
AHRI certifications	9,036	164

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	GE Appliances	ZERO
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	46.6%41 models	70.6%84 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	44.3%39 models	69.7%83 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	5.7%5 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	40.9%36 models	64.7%77 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	5.7%5 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	38.6%34 models	52.9%63 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 · 10 groups where both have models

GE Appliances
ZERO
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	GE Appliances	ZERO
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	10 · index 51%	7 · index 68%
Ducted, 2 tons	11 · index 45%	13 · index 51%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	24 · index 36%	20 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	28 · index 42%	26 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	8 · index 37%	2 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	14 · index 47%	39 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	5 · index 49%	9 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	5 · index 44%	13 · index 45%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 50%	6 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 68%	2 · 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 type	GE AppliancesCold-climate score, best model	ZEROCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)NS15H18HA5***with ducted air handler D(A,C,E)30B3J+TDR9 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218358333	72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)Z4SOV-18HDMB-USAlso listed as Z3SOV-18HDMB-US5 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217138401
Ducted, 2 tons	89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H24MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)24C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF96U070S3B7 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218792657	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRRV07HPBYFC-18SAlso listed as ZPRVO7HPBYFC-18S, ZPRV07HPBYFC-18S11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 217904930
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	88.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H36MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)36C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U045S3A8 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218792658	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z4SOV-36HDMB-USHH13 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 217752806
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H48MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)48D4Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U110S5C9 of 29 models qualify · AHRI 218792661	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z4SOV-48HDMB-USHH19 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 217752809
Ducted, 5 tons and up	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218325038	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G12ED2BE**with ductless indoor unit GS12WP2BE14 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 215876552	85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZMSB-09HV-USHHR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-09HV-USHHR2-I31 of 39 models qualify · AHRI 216097679
Non-ducted, 2 tons	61.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)3G24ED2BE**4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217009765	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZMSB-24HV-USHHCR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-24HV-USHHCR2-I7 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 216097676
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ036NC2AA*4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218309294	72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z4SOV-36HDMB-USHH9 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 217752807
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ048NC2AA*2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218309297	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)Z4SOV-53HDMB-USHH6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217752813
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218325037	None on this board (0 of 2 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	GE AppliancesAll-around score, best model	ZEROAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	66.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G09ED2BE**with ducted air handler US09MB2BE10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217036500	77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)Z4SOV-18HDMB-USHH6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217752800
Ducted, 2 tons	84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H24MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)24C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF96U070S3B11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218792657	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZOV-24HDGBwith ducted air handler ZAV-24HDGB12 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217619841
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)NS21H36MA5-*Awith ducted air handler NAM42V1TA5-23 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217642528	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)Z4SOV-36HDMB-USHH18 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217752806
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H48MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)48D4Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U110S5C28 of 28 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218792661	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z4SOV-48HDMB-USAlso listed as Z6SOV-48HDMB-US23 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138410
Ducted, 5 tons and up	74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ060NC2AA*9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218325038	64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z4SOV-60HDMB-US2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138413
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G09ED2BE**with ductless indoor unit GS09WP2BE14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215876551	86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZMSB-09HV-USHHR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-09HV-USHHR2-I39 of 39 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216097679
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)3G24ED2BE**5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217009765	74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZMSB-24HV-USHHR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-24HV-USHHR2-I9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216097682
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ036NC2AA*5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218309294	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z4SOV-36HDMB-USHH13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217752805
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ048NC2AA*2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218309297	62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z4SOV-53HDMB-USHH6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217752811
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	67.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218325037	32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z4SOV-60HDMB-USAlso listed as Z6SOV-60HDMB-US2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138412

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	GE Appliances	ZERO
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 4.00NS21H36MA5-**ADucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 2.80ZOU-42HDCA-S14Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 109%NS21H24MA5-**ADucted, 2 tons	beats 97% · 103%ZRRV07HPBYFC-18SAlso listed as ZPRVO7HPBYFC-18S, ZPRV07HPBYFC-18SDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 100% · 13.5MWHQ036NC2AA*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 11.0Z4SOV-48HDMB-USHHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 20.5NS21H60MA5-**ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 22.0Z3SOV-27HDTB-USDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 13.5NS16H42SA5-**ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 93% · 13.3ZOV-24HDGBDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 99% · 20,000 Btu/h2G20ED2BE**Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 39,000 Btu/hZSOVA-36HDMB-USHHDucted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

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GE Appliances vs ZERO heat pumps