MAXI AIR vs TRUENORTH heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, MAXI AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. MAXI AIR has 19 outdoor models, TRUENORTH has 18 outdoor models. MAXI AIR 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.

MAXI AIR 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, MAXI AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

MAXI AIR
TRUENORTH
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	MAXI AIR	TRUENORTH
Efficiency index	67% (higher)median —	41% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	41% (higher)median 1.87	36% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F	70% (higher)median 86%	54% (higher)median 71%
HSPF2	75% (higher)median 10.3	45% (higher)median 8.5
SEER2	76% (higher)median 22.2	41% (higher)median 17.5
EER2	63% (higher)median 12.5	33% (higher)median 10.3
Heating capacity at 5°F	68% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h	56% (higher)median 17,400 Btu/h
Outdoor models	19	18
AHRI certifications	45	32

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	MAXI AIR	TRUENORTH
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	68.4%13 models	50%9 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	68.4%13 models	44.4%8 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	73.7%14 models	38.9%7 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	52.6%10 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 · 5 groups where both have models

MAXI AIR
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	MAXI AIR	TRUENORTH
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index —	2 · index 36%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 67%	7 · index 41%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 53%	2 · index 35%
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	2 · index 30%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	9 · index 64%	6 · index 33%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 78%	3 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	2 · index 48%

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	MAXI AIRCold-climate score, best model	TRUENORTHCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	35.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(18)ND3MO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218593150
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(24)ND3MO1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218593151
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	67.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MAXS-2430with ducted air handler NE-F52-MAC36HWD6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213265613	54.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(30)ND3MO5 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 218593152
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	71.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MAXS-4260with ducted air handler AHMS-60201 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 210426581	51.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLUD60W/A-D(U)with ducted air handler WLCAT60H/NAA1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218461829
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.6(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 203238010	73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WLWHD(18)ND3MO5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218593147
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(24)ND3MO1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218593148
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213927622	73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(42)ND3MO3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218593146

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	MAXI AIRAll-around score, best model	TRUENORTHAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(18)ND3MO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593150
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)	45.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(24)ND3MO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593151
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	74.6(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 213927620	53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(30)ND3MO6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593152
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MAXS-4260with ducted air handler AHMS-60201 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210426581	43.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLUD60W/A-D(U)with ducted air handler WLCAT60H/NAA3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218461829
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	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	58.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(18)ND3MO6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593147
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(24)ND3MO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593148
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927622	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)WLWHD(42)ND3MO3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218593146

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	MAXI AIR	TRUENORTH
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.38YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 89% · 2.21WLWHD(18)ND3MONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 85% · 97%NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 85% · 89%WLWHD(30)ND3MODucted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2	beats 95% · 10.6NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 82% · 10.0WLWHD(36)ND3MONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 92% · 20.0NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28EDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 66% · 21.0WLWHD(24)ND3MONon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 96% · 13.6NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 84% · 12.5WLWHD(30)ND3MONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 95% · 48,500 Btu/hMAXS-4260Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 84% · 13,800 Btu/hWLWHD(18)ND3MONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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