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Gridless vs SMARTFLEX: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Gridless model beats 60% and a typical SMARTFLEX model 29%. Gridless rates higher overall.

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

Gridless

60%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

11 models listed

SMARTFLEX

29%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below 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°FGridless: Beats 40%SMARTFLEX: Beats 19%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FGridless: Beats 77%SMARTFLEX: Beats 65%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Gridless: Beats 60%SMARTFLEX: Beats 28%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Gridless: Beats 68%SMARTFLEX: Beats 21%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Gridless: Beats 56%SMARTFLEX: Beats 19%

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

    Gridless
    100%
    SMARTFLEX
    36%

  • Xcel CC

    Gridless
    100%
    SMARTFLEX
    64%

  • CEE Advanced

    Gridless
    0%
    SMARTFLEX
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Gridless
    91%
    SMARTFLEX
    0%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

Gridless

  1. 1O-AYC36SD-1with ducted air handler I-AYC36VAH-1Gridless3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 75.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    63.2score / 100Heating 75 · Cooling 51

SMARTFLEX

  1. 1DHS36CMB22SSMARTFLEX3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 37.8Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.76 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    8.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    24.1score / 100Heating 38 · Cooling 10

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