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PREMIUM LEVELLA vs STEALTH: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical PREMIUM LEVELLA model beats 47% and a typical STEALTH model 54%. STEALTH 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

STEALTH

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

11 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%STEALTH: Beats 53%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FPREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 35%STEALTH: Beats 59%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 47%STEALTH: Beats 59%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 48%STEALTH: Beats 62%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 42%STEALTH: Beats 39%

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%
    STEALTH
    73%
  • Xcel CC

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    47%
    STEALTH
    64%
  • CEE Advanced

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    0%
    STEALTH
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    41%
    STEALTH
    0%

All-around best, ductless 2.5–3 tons

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

PREMIUM LEVELLA

  1. 1PIAWMZ3082380ABPREMIUM LEVELLA2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.4Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    66.6score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 76
  2. 2PIAWMZ3682380ABPREMIUM LEVELLA3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 51.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 74

STEALTH

  1. 1AC-30Z-E-M4STEALTH2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (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
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    66.6score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 76
  2. 2AC-36Z-E-M4STEALTH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 51.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 74
  3. 3AC-42Z-E-M5STEALTH3 tons · 37,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (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
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    57.7score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 57

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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