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PREMIUM LEVELLA vs SHARP: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical PREMIUM LEVELLA model beats 47% and a typical SHARP model 77%. SHARP rates higher overall.

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

PREMIUM LEVELLA

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

17 models listed

SHARP

77%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

17 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°FPREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 55%SHARP: Beats 80%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FPREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 35%SHARP: Beats 73%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 47%SHARP: Beats 88%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 48%SHARP: Beats 77%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 42%SHARP: Beats 70%

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

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    71%
    SHARP
    100%

  • Xcel CC

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    47%
    SHARP
    100%

  • CEE Advanced

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    0%
    SHARP
    12%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    41%
    SHARP
    94%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

PREMIUM LEVELLA

  1. 1PIAW1825080ABwith ductless indoor unit PIAW1825079AAPREMIUM LEVELLA1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 79.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    82.9score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 87
  2. 2PIAW1225080ABwith ductless indoor unit PIAW1225079AAPREMIUM LEVELLA1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 59.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    60.7score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 62
  3. 3PIAWMZ1882280ABPREMIUM LEVELLA1.5 tons · 17,700 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 64.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    59.7score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 55

SHARP

  1. 1AE-X12ZHU1with ductless indoor unit AY-XP12ZHU1SHARPAlso listed as AE-X12CHU1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 83.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    16.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    88.0score / 100Heating 84 · Cooling 93
  2. 2AE-X18ZHUwith ductless indoor unit AY-XP18ZHUSHARPAlso listed as AE-X18CHU1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 82.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    81.7score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 81
  3. 3AE-X18ZHU1with ductless indoor unit AY-XP18ZHU1SHARP1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 82.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    81.7score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 81

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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