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Live cool vs MAXI AIR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Live cool model beats 57% and a typical MAXI AIR model 75%. MAXI AIR rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Live cool

57%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

10 models listed

MAXI AIR

75%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

10 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°FLive cool: Beats 44%MAXI AIR: Beats 51%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FLive cool: Beats 37%MAXI AIR: Beats 83%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Live cool: Beats 57%MAXI AIR: Beats 83%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Live cool: Beats 74%MAXI AIR: Beats 77%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Live cool: Beats 63%MAXI AIR: Beats 77%

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

    Live cool
    100%
    MAXI AIR
    100%

  • Xcel CC

    Live cool
    100%
    MAXI AIR
    100%

  • CEE Advanced

    Live cool
    0%
    MAXI AIR
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Live cool
    90%
    MAXI AIR
    70%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Live cool

  1. 1KWSM-12IR454BHS24Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24RLive coolAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS24R1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    59.5score / 100
  2. 2KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRLive coolAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LR1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    58.9score / 100
  3. 3KWSM-18IR454BHS23Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-18IR454BHS23RLive coolAlso listed as LWSM-18IR454BHS23R1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    38.9score / 100

MAXI AIR

  1. 1T55-AES18EXT454with ductless indoor unit T55-AES18INT454MAXI AIR1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.92 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    73.8score / 100
  2. 2T55-MULTI18E454MAXI AIRAlso listed as T55-MULTI18E4541.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 95% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    73.1score / 100
  3. 3T55-AES12EXT454with ductless indoor unit T55-AES12INT454MAXI AIR1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    60.0score / 100

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.

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