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Nortek Global HVAC vs THERMAL ZONE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Nortek Global HVAC scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Nortek Global HVAC has 109 outdoor models, THERMAL ZONE has 101 outdoor models. THERMAL ZONE has no QMID on file and is 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.
Nortek Global HVAC and THERMAL ZONE 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, Nortek Global HVAC scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • Nortek Global HVAC
  • THERMAL ZONE
  • Other ranked manufacturers
Nortek G…THERMAL …

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingNortek Global HVACTHERMAL ZONE
Efficiency index31% (higher)median — · 29th ranked30% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F23%median 1.75 · 29th ranked40%median 1.86
Capacity retention at 5°F28% (higher)median 49% · 29th ranked26% (higher)median 46%
HSPF228% (higher)median 7.5 · 29th ranked23% (higher)median 7.2
SEER232% (higher)median 14.3 · 29th ranked24% (higher)median 14.3
EER242% (higher)median 11.0 · 22nd ranked31% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F28%median 16,200 Btu/h · 29th ranked29%median 18,550 Btu/h
Outdoor models109101
AHRI certifications7811,006

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardNortek Global HVACTHERMAL ZONE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)28.4%31 models7.9%8 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)24.8%27 models5.9%6 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.8%2 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)20.2%22 models7.9%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.8%2 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate11%12 models7.9%8 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
  • Nortek Global HVAC
  • THERMAL ZONE
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 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 typeNortek Global HVACTHERMAL ZONE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons6 · index 25%5 · index 34%
Ducted, 2 tons15 · index 25%11 · index 33%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons28 · index 25%30 · index 26%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons38 · index 30%38 · index 31%
Ducted, 5 tons and up4 · index 18%17 · index 28%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons12 · index 44%None
Non-ducted, 2 tons4 · index 50%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons6 · index 42%None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 68%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 typeNortek Global HVACCold-climate score, best modelTHERMAL ZONECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons39.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21574631572.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler PE(S,T)23J1 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217200657
Ducted, 2 tons49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH1 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 21574631775.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZP15AY24AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJ4 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 217200648
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD36MSK3IH3 of 29 models qualify · AHRI 21713820772.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AEW37J+TDR2 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 217200653
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD60MSK3IH2 of 38 models qualify · AHRI 21713820965.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZID48H520ZCSwith indoor coil TZID60H520ZACD and furnace MGV96U120D5C3 of 38 models qualify · AHRI 218782171
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 17 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons66.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)WHS18SZB21Swith ductless indoor unit WHS18WMB21S10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217101981No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215746311No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH36FMK3IH5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746313No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215746314No 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 typeNortek Global HVACAll-around score, best modelTHERMAL ZONEAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574631557.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217200644
Ducted, 2 tons72.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD24MSK3IH15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713820679.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZID36H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID24H520ZA12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217495954
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH30FMK3IH25 of 28 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574631858.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AEW37J+TDR16 of 29 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217200653
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IH35 of 38 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713820864.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZID60H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID48H520ZA19 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217589556
Ducted, 5 tons and up17.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RHPXYB060AJT1 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21746914956.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZP15AY60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler TZHDYTST6024*NAN9 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215415492
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IH12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011767No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH24PUK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011771No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746312No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746314No 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
RatingNortek Global HVACTHERMAL ZONE
COP at 5°Fbeats 100% · 2.53WHS18SZB21SNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 2.73TZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 114%UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 130%TZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 90% · 10.5UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 74% · 9.7TZID24H520ZCSDucted, 2 tons
SEER2beats 97% · 26.0DXH24PSK3IHNon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 87% · 20.0TZID36H520ZCDucted, 2 tons
EER2beats 94% · 13.0DXH42FMK3IHNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 93% · 13.3TZID36H520ZCDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hUXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 21,000 Btu/hTZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons

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