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MAXI AIR vs SEA BREEZE+: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical MAXI AIR model beats 75% and a typical SEA BREEZE+ model 68%. MAXI AIR rates higher overall.

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

MAXI AIR

75%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

10 models listed

SEA BREEZE+

68%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

23 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°FMAXI AIR: Beats 51%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 65%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FMAXI AIR: Beats 83%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 64%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2MAXI AIR: Beats 83%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 78%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2MAXI AIR: Beats 77%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 70%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2MAXI AIR: Beats 77%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 65%

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

    MAXI AIR
    100%
    SEA BREEZE+
    91%
  • Xcel CC

    MAXI AIR
    100%
    SEA BREEZE+
    87%
  • CEE Advanced

    MAXI AIR
    0%
    SEA BREEZE+
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    MAXI AIR
    70%
    SEA BREEZE+
    87%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

MAXI AIR

  1. 1T55-MULTI18E454MAXI AIRAlso listed as T55-MULTI18E4541.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 84

SEA BREEZE+

  1. 1HSZ09H525ZMOwith ducted air handler D09H525ZMISEA BREEZE+1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    120% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.5score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 93
  2. 2SZ09H525ZMOwith ducted air handler D09H525ZMISEA BREEZE+1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.8score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 80
  3. 3SZ18H525ZMOwith ducted air handler D18H525ZMISEA BREEZE+1.5 tons · 17,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.41 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.3 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    78.4score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 87

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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