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Live cool vs MAXI AIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, MAXI AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. Live cool has 10 outdoor models, MAXI AIR has 10 outdoor models. Live cool and MAXI AIR have no QMID on file and are 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.
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 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • Live cool
  • MAXI AIR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
Live coolMAXI AIR

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingLive coolMAXI AIR
Efficiency index57%median —75%median —
COP at 5°F44%median 1.8451%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F37%median 72%83%median 98%
HSPF257%median 10.083%median 10.5
SEER274%median 23.077%median 23.0
EER263%median 13.077%median 12.8
Heating capacity at 5°F47%median 9,100 Btu/h84%median 27,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models1010
AHRI certifications1034

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardLive coolMAXI AIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%10 models100%10 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%10 models100%10 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%10 models100%10 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate90%9 models70%7 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
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 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 typeLive coolMAXI AIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone2 · index 77%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone5 · index 77%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone1 · index 49%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons8 · index 59%4 · index 75%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 49%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone4 · index 76%

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 typeLive coolCold-climate score, best modelMAXI AIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)T55-MULTI18E454Also listed as T55-MULTI18E4542 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218381880
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)T55-MULTI36E454Also listed as T55-MULTI36E4545 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217752780
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class60.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-4260-454with ducted air handler AHMS-6020-4541 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217752767
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons59.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-12IR454BHS24Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS24R8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21761784073.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)T55-AES18EXT454with ductless indoor unit T55-AES18INT4544 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217752773
Non-ducted, 2 tons37.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS23Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23R2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217617842No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)T55-MULTI36E454Also listed as T55-MULTI36E4544 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217752781

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 typeLive coolAll-around score, best modelMAXI AIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)T55-MULTI18E454Also listed as T55-MULTI18E4542 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218381880
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)T55-MULTI36E454Also listed as T55-MULTI36E4545 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217752780
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class49.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-4260-454with ducted air handler AHMS-6020-4541 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217752767
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-12IR454BHS24Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS24R8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21761784081.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)T55-MULTI18E454Also listed as T55-MULTI18E4544 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218381879
Non-ducted, 2 tons48.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS23Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23R2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217617842No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)T55-MULTI36E454Also listed as T55-MULTI36E4544 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217752779

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
RatingLive coolMAXI AIR
COP at 5°Fbeats 77% · 2.10KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 63% · 2.00T55-MULTI18E454Also listed as T55-MULTI18E454Ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 52% · 76%KWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23RNon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 97% · 107%MAXS-2430-454Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 64% · 10.0KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 94% · 10.4T55-MULTI36E454Also listed as T55-MULTI36E454Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 79% · 23.0KWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23RNon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 88% · 25.4T55-AES12EXT454Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 70% · 13.0KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 15.0T55-MULTI18E454Also listed as T55-MULTI18E454Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 79% · 13,600 Btu/hKWSM-18IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-18IR454BHS23RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 19,000 Btu/hT55-MULTI18E454Also listed as T55-MULTI18E454Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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