Live cool vs MAXI AIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, MAXI AIR scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Live cool has 6 outdoor models, MAXI AIR has 19 outdoor models. Live cool and MAXI AIR 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.

Live cool and MAXI AIR 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, MAXI AIR scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

Live cool
MAXI AIR
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Live cool	MAXI AIR
Efficiency index	52%median —	67%median —
COP at 5°F	23%median 1.80	41%median 1.87
Capacity retention at 5°F	50%median 73%	70%median 86%
HSPF2	47%median 9.0	75%median 10.3
SEER2	68%median 22.5	76%median 22.2
EER2	63%median 12.8	63%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	38%median 8,900 Btu/h	68%median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	6	19
AHRI certifications	6	45

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Live cool	MAXI AIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%6 models	68.4%13 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%6 models	68.4%13 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	66.7%4 models	73.7%14 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	66.7%4 models	52.6%10 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 · 1 groups where both have models

Live cool
MAXI AIR
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	Live cool	MAXI AIR
Ducted, 2 tons	None	2 · index —
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	7 · index 67%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · index 53%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	5 · index 54%	9 · index 64%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 46%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	4 · index 78%

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	Live coolCold-climate score, best model	MAXI AIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	67.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-2430with ducted air handler NE-F52-MAC36HWD6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213265613
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	71.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-4260with ducted air handler AHMS-60201 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 210426581
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	47.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)LWSM-12IR410AHS23with ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR410AHS234 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218037240	70.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YS21F-18HRDN1with ductless indoor unit YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INT8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 203238010
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213927622

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	Live coolAll-around score, best model	MAXI AIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28E6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927620
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-4260with ducted air handler AHMS-60201 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210426581
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	60.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)LWSM-09IR410AHS23with ductless indoor unit LWSM-09IR410AHS235 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218037239	75.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YS21F-18HRDN1with ductless indoor unit YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INT9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203238010
Non-ducted, 2 tons	46.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)LWSM-24IR410AHS20with ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR410AHS201 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218037242	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927622

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	Live cool	MAXI AIR
COP at 5°F	beats 26% · 1.80LWSM-24IR410AHS20Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 96% · 2.38YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 64% · 77%LWSM-09IR410AHS23Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 85% · 97%NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2	beats 57% · 9.5LWSM-12IR410AHS23Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 10.6NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 79% · 23.5LWSM-09IR410AHS23Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 92% · 20.0NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28EDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 68% · 13.0LWSM-09IR410AHS23Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 13.6NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 66% · 11,900 Btu/hLWSM-18IR410AHS21.5Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 48,500 Btu/hMAXS-4260Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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