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Panasonic vs PERFECTAIRE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, PERFECTAIRE scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Panasonic has 36 outdoor models, PERFECTAIRE has 36 outdoor models. Panasonic and PERFECTAIRE 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.
Panasonic and PERFECTAIRE 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, PERFECTAIRE scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • Panasonic
  • PERFECTAIRE
  • Other ranked manufacturers
PanasonicPERFECTA…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingPanasonicPERFECTAIRE
Efficiency index47%median —58%median —
COP at 5°F40%median 1.9040%median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F50%median 68%63%median 86%
HSPF257%median 9.269%median 9.5
SEER248%median 17.864%median 19.7
EER239%median 10.752%median 11.4
Heating capacity at 5°F53%median 15,150 Btu/h60%median 20,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models3636
AHRI certifications5670

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardPanasonicPERFECTAIRE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)52.8%19 models80.6%29 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)47.2%17 models75%27 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)36.1%13 models66.7%24 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate36.1%13 models66.7%24 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 · 7 groups where both have models
  • Panasonic
  • PERFECTAIRE
  • 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 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 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 typePanasonicPERFECTAIRE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons7 · index 51%7 · index 61%
Ducted, 2 tons3 · index 53%4 · index 77%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons5 · index 46%7 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 53%6 · index 61%
Ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 42%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons16 · index 47%15 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons4 · index 40%3 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 37%5 · index 64%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone4 · index 51%

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 typePanasonicCold-climate score, best modelPERFECTAIRECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons64.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE18YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE18YAC64 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21239650474.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3PAMSHH09-SZOwith ducted air handler 3PAMSDH097 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 207796628
Ducted, 2 tons67.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-E24YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE24YAC63 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21239649979.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)1KARDA24SZO20.5with ducted air handler 2PAMSDH24Also listed as 1PAMSHH24-SZW-20.5, 3PAMSHH24-SZO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 206348127
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-HE36YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE36YAC62 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21239650774.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAHHSD36-SZOwith ducted air handler 3PAHHSD36-AHU6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 211253526
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE48YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE48YAHK62 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21239649674.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3PAMS48-HH-MZO54 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207657345
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons87.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-XE9WKUAwith ductless indoor unit CS-XE9WKUAW6 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 20504785177.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH12-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3PAMSCONH12-28 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 210410111
Non-ducted, 2 tons64.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-XE24WKUAwith ductless indoor unit CS-XE24WKUAW2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20504785586.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3PAMSHH24-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3PAMSCH242 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 207796635
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS36-HH-MZO44 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 207657341
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS48-HH-MZO52 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 207657344

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 typePanasonicAll-around score, best modelPERFECTAIREAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-E9SD3UAwith ducted air handler CS-E9SD3UAW7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 912530885.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3PAMSHH09-SZOwith ducted air handler 3PAMSDH097 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207796628
Ducted, 2 tons65.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE24YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE24YAHK63 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21239649380.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)1KARDA24SZO20.5with ducted air handler 2PAMSDH24Also listed as 1PAMSHH24-SZW-20.5, 3PAMSHH24-SZO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206348127
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE36YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE36YAHK65 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21239649574.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3PAMS27-HH-MZO37 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657338
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE55YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE60YAHK63 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21239649782.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3PAMS48-HH-MZO56 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657345
Ducted, 5 tons and up41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-E60YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE60YAHK61 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212396491No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-XE9WKUAwith ductless indoor unit CS-XE9WKUAW14 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20504785184.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH09-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3PAMSHH09-UVWAlso listed as 3KARDA09SZO15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207614054
Non-ducted, 2 tons73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-4E24RBU-54 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 1022120470.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH24-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3PAMSHH24-UVWAlso listed as 3PAMSHH24-SZO-213 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207614056
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons36.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-5E36QBU-51 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 1022120770.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3PAMS36-HH-MZO45 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657341
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS48-HH-MZO54 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657344

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
RatingPanasonicPERFECTAIRE
COP at 5°Fbeats 90% · 2.24CU-E18RKUANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 78% · 2.103PAMSH12B-SZONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 94% · 111%CU-XE9WKUANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 93% · 108%3PAMSHH09-SZODucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 95% · 12.0CU-XE9WKUANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 12.03PAMSHH09-SZODucted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 97% · 20.5CU-E9SD3UADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 20.93PAMS48-HH-MZO5Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 97% · 16.1CU-XE9WKUANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 15.83PAMSHH09-SZOAlso listed as 3KARDA09SZONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 95% · 48,500 Btu/hCU-HE55YAHK6Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/h3PAMS18-HH-MZO2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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