J-KU vs TEMPBLUE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, J-KU scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. J-KU has 10 outdoor models, TEMPBLUE has 10 outdoor models. J-KU and TEMPBLUE 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.

J-KU and TEMPBLUE 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, J-KU scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

J-KU
TEMPBLUE
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	J-KU	TEMPBLUE
Efficiency index	62% (higher)median —	37% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	49%median 1.84	50%median 1.85
Capacity retention at 5°F	66% (higher)median 87%	23% (higher)median 62%
HSPF2	48% (higher)median 9.0	31% (higher)median 8.7
SEER2	67% (higher)median 21.5	35% (higher)median 19.1
EER2	71% (higher)median 12.8	34% (higher)median 10.4
Heating capacity at 5°F	61% (higher)median 15,015 Btu/h	26% (higher)median 15,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	10	10
AHRI certifications	10	10

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	J-KU	TEMPBLUE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%10 models	50%5 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%10 models	40%4 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	90%9 models	0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	80%8 models	0%0 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

J-KU
TEMPBLUE
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	J-KU	TEMPBLUE
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	6 · index 62%	4 · index 40%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 63%	1 · index 22%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	1 · index 70%	5 · index 37%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 45%	None

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	J-KUCold-climate score, best model	TEMPBLUECold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	83.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)JKS09HP230V1XCwith ductless indoor unit JKS09HP230V1XE5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 211583739	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2 tons	64.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)JKS-24H2HP-M3O2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213286754	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	64.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)JKS-36H2HP-M4O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213286756	None on this board (0 of 5 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	41.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)JKS-42H2HP-M5O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213286755	No models in this size class

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	J-KUAll-around score, best model	TEMPBLUEAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	89.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)JKS09HP230V1XCwith ductless indoor unit JKS09HP230V1XE6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211583739	58.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)UTG420B-X009PH3N1Hwith ductless indoor unit UTH420B-X009-H3N1H4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213614239
Non-ducted, 2 tons	71.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)JKS-24H2HP-M3O2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286754	21.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)UTG420B-X024PH3N1Hwith ductless indoor unit UTH420B-X024-H3N1H1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213614243
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)JKS-36H2HP-M4O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286756	53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TBG43WX030PH3N1Hwith ductless indoor unit TBH43WX030-H3N1H4 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209948222
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	44.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)JKS-42H2HP-M5O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286755	No models in this size class

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	J-KU	TEMPBLUE
COP at 5°F	beats 97% · 2.41JKS12HP230V1XCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 87% · 2.01TBG43WX036PH3N1HNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 113%JKS-36H2HP-M4ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 34% · 69%UTG420B-X009PH3N1HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 79% · 10.5JKS09HP230V1XCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 53% · 9.4UTG420B-X009PH3N1HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 96% · 27.5JKS09HP230V1XCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 65% · 21.0TBG43WX030PH3N1HNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 93% · 15.5JKS09HP230V1XCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 75% · 12.2TBG43WX030PH3N1HNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 92% · 18,000 Btu/hJKS-18H2HP-M2ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 71% · 12,050 Btu/hUTG420B-X018PH3N1HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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