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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 45% and a typical STEALTH model 57%. STEALTH rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

PREMIUM LEVELLA

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

40 models listed

STEALTH

57%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

42 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 44%STEALTH: Beats 45%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FPREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 35%STEALTH: Beats 61%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 42%STEALTH: Beats 69%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 45%STEALTH: Beats 61%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 36%STEALTH: Beats 45%

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
    53%
    STEALTH
    62%

  • Xcel CC

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    28%
    STEALTH
    48%

  • CEE Advanced

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    0%
    STEALTH
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    13%
    STEALTH
    50%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

PREMIUM LEVELLA

None of PREMIUM LEVELLA’s ducted, 2.5–3 tons models qualifies.

STEALTH

  1. 1ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MBSTEALTH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.98 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    79.9score / 100
  2. 2ACIQ-36-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36-ACLSTEALTH3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    78.6score / 100
  3. 3ACIQ-36-HPCwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36-AHBSTEALTH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.96 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.9score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view