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PREMIUM LEVELLA vs SHARP heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, SHARP scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. PREMIUM LEVELLA has 17 outdoor models, SHARP has 17 outdoor models. PREMIUM LEVELLA and SHARP 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.
PREMIUM LEVELLA and SHARP 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, SHARP scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • PREMIUM LEVELLA
  • SHARP
  • Other ranked manufacturers
PREMIUM …SHARP

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingPREMIUM LEVELLASHARP
Efficiency index47%median —77%median —
COP at 5°F55%median 2.0080%median 2.20
Capacity retention at 5°F35%median 70%73%median 88%
HSPF247%median 10.088%median 11.0
SEER248%median 21.077%median 24.0
EER242%median 12.070%median 13.0
Heating capacity at 5°F38%median 11,600 Btu/h82%median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models1717
AHRI certifications1725

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardPREMIUM LEVELLASHARP
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)70.6%12 models100%17 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)70.6%12 models100%17 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models11.8%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)47.1%8 models100%17 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models11.8%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate41.2%7 models94.1%16 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 · 2 groups where both have models
  • PREMIUM LEVELLA
  • SHARP
  • All models of the group
Non-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 typePREMIUM LEVELLASHARP
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons10 · index 41%13 · index 78%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 44%4 · index 74%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 65%None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 72%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 typePREMIUM LEVELLACold-climate score, best modelSHARPCold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons79.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAW1825080ABwith ductless indoor unit PIAW1825079AA4 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21677568083.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AE-X12ZHU1with ductless indoor unit AY-XP12ZHU1Also listed as AE-X12CHU13 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 213238803
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ2482380AB1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21701445183.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AE-X3M24BUwith ductless indoor unit AY-XPC9/12/18BUAlso listed as AE-X3M24CU4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213927543
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ3082380AB2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217014452No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons50.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ4282480AB1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217014454No 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 typePREMIUM LEVELLAAll-around score, best modelSHARPAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAW1825080ABwith ductless indoor unit PIAW1825079AA10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21677568088.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AE-X12ZHU1with ductless indoor unit AY-XP12ZHU1Also listed as AE-X12CHU13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213238803
Non-ducted, 2 tons71.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ2482380AB3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21701445188.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AE-X3M24BUwith ductless indoor unit AY-XPC9/12/18BUAlso listed as AE-X3M24CU4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927543
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ3082380AB2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217014452No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons72.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ4282480AB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217014454No 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
RatingPREMIUM LEVELLASHARP
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.21PIAW3417080ABNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 90% · 2.30AE-X3M24BUAlso listed as AE-X3M24CUNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 79% · 90%PIAWMZ2482380ABNon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 87% · 100%AE-X12ZHU1Also listed as AE-X12CHUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 79% · 10.5PIAW1825080ABNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 11.5AE-X3M24BUAlso listed as AE-X3M24CUNon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2beats 94% · 24.0PIAWMZ4282480ABNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 92% · 24.0AE-X3M24BUAlso listed as AE-X3M24CUNon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2beats 87% · 12.5PIAWMZ4282480ABNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 96% · 16.0AE-X12ZHU1Also listed as AE-X12CHUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 86% · 15,000 Btu/hPIAW1825080ABNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 19,500 Btu/hAE-X18ZHUAlso listed as AE-X18CHUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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