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MAXI AIR vs MSH LEGACY heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, MAXI AIR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. MAXI AIR has 19 outdoor models, MSH LEGACY has 18 outdoor models. MAXI AIR and MSH LEGACY 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.
MAXI AIR and MSH LEGACY 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 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • MAXI AIR
  • MSH LEGACY
  • Other ranked manufacturers
MAXI AIRMSH LEGA…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingMAXI AIRMSH LEGACY
Efficiency index67% (higher)median —51% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F41%median 1.8778%median 2.22
Capacity retention at 5°F70% (higher)median 86%16% (higher)median 47%
HSPF275% (higher)median 10.333% (higher)median 7.5
SEER276% (higher)median 22.229% (higher)median 15.0
EER263%median 12.591%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F68% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h17% (higher)median 16,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models1918
AHRI certifications451,716

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardMAXI AIRMSH LEGACY
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)68.4%13 models0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)68.4%13 models0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)73.7%14 models0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate52.6%10 models0%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
  • MAXI AIR
  • MSH LEGACY
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 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 typeMAXI AIRMSH LEGACY
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index —2 · index 53%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons7 · index 67%4 · index 51%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 53%6 · index 54%
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone2 · index 41%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone4 · index 54%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons9 · index 64%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 78%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 typeMAXI AIRCold-climate score, best modelMSH LEGACYCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons67.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-2430with ducted air handler NE-F52-MAC36HWD6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213265613None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons71.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-4260with ducted air handler AHMS-60201 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 210426581None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons70.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)YS21F-18HRDN1with ductless indoor unit YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INT8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 203238010No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213927622No 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 typeMAXI AIRAll-around score, best modelMSH LEGACYAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class41.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)N4H5S18*K*AAA*with indoor coil EA*4X25L17A and furnace *80ESU0401712AAlso listed as R4H5S18*K*AAA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210300397
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)52.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)N4H5S24*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FMA4X30**ALAlso listed as R4H5S24*K*AAA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210099429
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28E6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392762056.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)N4H5S30*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FMA4X30**ALAlso listed as R4H5S30*K*AAA4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209692125
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-4260with ducted air handler AHMS-60201 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21042658160.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)N4H5S42*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FXM4X48**ALAlso listed as R4H5S42*K*AAA4 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209693273
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class54.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)N4H5S60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FJMA4*60L*DAlso listed as R4H5S60*K*AAA2 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210998915
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons75.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)YS21F-18HRDN1with ductless indoor unit YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INT9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203238010No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.8(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 213927622No 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
RatingMAXI AIRMSH LEGACY
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.38YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 83% · 2.28N4H5S42*K*AAA*Also listed as R4H5S42*K*AAADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 85% · 97%NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 36% · 50%N4H5S60*K*AAA*Also listed as R4H5S60*K*AAADucted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2beats 95% · 10.6NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 40% · 8.1N4H5S30*K*AAA*Also listed as R4H5S30*K*AAADucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 92% · 20.0NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28EDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 40% · 15.2N4H5S42*K*AAA*Also listed as R4H5S42*K*AAADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 96% · 13.6NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 92% · 12.5N4H5S42*K*AAA*Also listed as R4H5S42*K*AAADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 95% · 48,500 Btu/hMAXS-4260Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 31% · 28,400 Btu/hN4H5S60*K*AAA*Also listed as R4H5S60*K*AAADucted, 5 tons and up

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