Live cool vs TRUENORTH heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, TRUENORTH scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. Live cool has 10 outdoor models, TRUENORTH has 10 outdoor models. Live cool and TRUENORTH 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 TRUENORTH 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, TRUENORTH scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings.

Live cool
TRUENORTH
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	TRUENORTH
Efficiency index	57% (higher)median —	53% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	44%median 1.84	54%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	37%median 72%	59%median 76%
HSPF2	57% (higher)median 10.0	38% (higher)median 9.4
SEER2	74% (higher)median 23.0	50% (higher)median 20.8
EER2	63%median 13.0	63%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	47%median 9,100 Btu/h	57%median 19,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	10	10
AHRI certifications	10	22

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Live cool	TRUENORTH
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%10 models	90%9 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%10 models	90%9 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	10%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	100%10 models	90%9 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	10%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	90%9 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 · 2 groups where both have models

Live cool
TRUENORTH
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	TRUENORTH
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	1 · index 49%
Ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 55%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	2 · index 60%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	2 · index 68%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	8 · index 59%	4 · index 37%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 49%	2 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	2 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	2 · index 52%

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	TRUENORTHCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	39.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(18)ND6MO1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218593168
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(24)ND6MO1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218593170
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	52.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(36)ND6MO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218593172
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	55.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(42)ND6MO1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218593173
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	59.5(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 217617840	61.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WLWHD(18)ND6MO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218593163
Non-ducted, 2 tons	37.7(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 217617842	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WLWHD(24)ND6MO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218593164
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(36)ND6MO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218593166
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(42)ND6MO1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218593167

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	TRUENORTHAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(18)ND6MO1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593168
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	54.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(24)ND6MO1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593170
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(30)ND6MO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593171
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	69.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(42)ND6MO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593173
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSM-12IR454BHS24Rwith ductless indoor unit LWSM-12IR454BHS24RAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS24R8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217617840	52.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(18)ND6MO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593163
Non-ducted, 2 tons	48.8(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 217617842	67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WLWHD(24)ND6MO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593164
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(30)ND6MO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593165
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(42)ND6MO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593167

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	TRUENORTH
COP at 5°F	beats 77% · 2.10KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 2.20WLWHD(60)ND6MONon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 52% · 76%KWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23RNon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 81% · 100%WLWHD(36)ND6MONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2	beats 64% · 10.0KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 69% · 10.0WLWHD(24)ND6MONon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 79% · 23.0KWSM-24IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-24IR454BHS23RNon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 85% · 19.0WLWHD(60)ND6MODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 70% · 13.0KWSM-12IR454BHS23LRAlso listed as LWSM-12IR454BHS23LRNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 94% · 13.0WLWHD(42)ND6MONon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 79% · 13,600 Btu/hKWSM-18IR454BHS23RAlso listed as LWSM-18IR454BHS23RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 86% · 36,000 Btu/hWLWHD(36)ND6MONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

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