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Innovair vs ZERO heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Innovair scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Innovair has 44 outdoor models, ZERO has 69 outdoor models. ZERO has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

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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.
Innovair 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, Innovair scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • Innovair
  • ZERO
  • Other ranked manufacturers
InnovairZERO

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingInnovairZERO
Efficiency index56% (higher)median — · 12th ranked49% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F51% (higher)median 1.91 · 17th ranked48% (higher)median 1.89
Capacity retention at 5°F64% (higher)median 82% · 6th ranked43% (higher)median 70%
HSPF253% (higher)median 8.8 · 13th ranked46% (higher)median 8.6
SEER250%median 17.0 · 12th ranked53%median 19.0
EER242%median 10.6 · 25th ranked46%median 11.0
Heating capacity at 5°F64% (higher)median 21,555 Btu/h · 4th ranked44% (higher)median 11,700 Btu/h
Outdoor models4469
AHRI certifications9189

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardInnovairZERO
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)52.3%23 models59.4%41 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)47.7%21 models55.1%38 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)47.7%21 models47.8%33 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate52.3%23 models24.6%17 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 · 9 groups where both have models
  • Innovair
  • ZERO
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 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 typeInnovairZERO
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons5 · index 53%2 · index 59%
Ducted, 2 tons5 · index 63%5 · index 69%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons7 · index 51%7 · index 57%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons6 · index 53%9 · index 63%
Ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 42%1 · index 57%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons11 · index 68%33 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons5 · index 68%9 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons7 · index 44%8 · index 39%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 45%3 · index 50%

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 typeInnovairCold-climate score, best modelZEROCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHV18H2R20with ducted air handler WEV18H2R194 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21325559752.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z3SOV-18HDM-US1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 214723150
Ducted, 2 tons75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MHD-24with ducted air handler MHD-CC2.0-17.5-M4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21036543080.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZSOV-24HDM-USwith ducted air handler ZDV-24HDM-US2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212928560
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHV36H2R20with ducted air handler MAC36H2124E4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21316047657.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z3SOV-27HDM-US1 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213732663
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)SHV48H2R20with ducted air handler DEV48H2R193 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21034315774.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)Z5SOV-48HDM-US1 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 213732669
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)EIN10H2V32(O)with ductless indoor unit EIN10H2V32(I)7 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 20633020786.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZMSB-09HV-USHHwith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-09HV-USHH24 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 213917748
Non-ducted, 2 tons68.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)EIN24H2V32(O)with ductless indoor unit EIN24H2V32(I)3 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 20633021074.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZSOV-24HDM-USwith ductless indoor unit ZEV-24HDM-US4 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 212928564
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons64.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)VOM36H7R4P71 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 20782195449.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z3SOV-27HDM-US1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 213732662
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons41.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)VOM42H7R5P71 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 20782195880.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)Z5SOV-48HDM-US2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 213732668

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 typeInnovairAll-around score, best modelZEROAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SHV18H2R20with ducted air handler WEV18H2R195 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21325559759.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z3SOV-18HDM-US1 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214723150
Ducted, 2 tons71.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)VOM24H7R3P75 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782195083.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZSOV-24HDM-USwith ducted air handler ZDV-24HDM-US2 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212928560
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)VOM36H7R4P77 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782195371.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z3SOV-27HDM-US3 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213732663
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons60.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)VOM42H7R5P76 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782195682.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)Z5SOV-48HDM-US2 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213732669
Ducted, 5 tons and up41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SEV60H2R19with ducted air handler DEV60H2R191 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20810686357.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZSOV-60HDM-USwith ducted air handler ZDV-60HDM-US1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212928563
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons88.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EIN10H2V32(O)with ductless indoor unit EIN10H2V32(I)7 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20633020786.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZMSB-09HV-USHHwith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-09HV-USHH33 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213917748
Non-ducted, 2 tons76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EIN24H2V32(O)with ductless indoor unit EIN24H2V32(I)3 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20633021072.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZSOV-24HDM-USwith ductless indoor unit ZEV-24HDM-US9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212928564
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons69.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)VOM36H7R4P75 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782195466.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)Z3SOV-27HDM-US8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213732662
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons44.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)VOM42H7R5P71 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782195773.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)Z5SOV-48HDM-US3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213732668

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
RatingInnovairZERO
COP at 5°Fbeats 91% · 2.37VEA36H2V18Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 2.22ZMSB-24HV-USHHNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 144%EIN10H2V32(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 84% · 87%Z5SOV-48HDM-USDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2beats 93% · 10.8SHV18H2R20Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 11.2ZSOV-24HDM-USDucted, 2 tons
SEER2beats 96% · 21.0VOM24H7R3P7Ducted, 2 tonsbeats 99% · 20.9Z5SOV-48HDM-USDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 99% · 16.6EIN10H2V32(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 15.8ZMSB-09HV-USHHCAlso listed as ZMSB-09HV-USHHC-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hEIN18H2V32(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 90% · 17,200 Btu/hZMSB-18HV-USHHCAlso listed as ZMSB-18HV-USHHC-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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