Proair vs SMARTFLEX heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Proair scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Proair has 11 outdoor models, SMARTFLEX has 11 outdoor models. Proair and SMARTFLEX have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · 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.

Proair and SMARTFLEX 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, Proair scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

Proair
SMARTFLEX
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Proair	SMARTFLEX
Efficiency index	50% (higher)median —	29% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	45% (higher)median 1.91	19% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F	65%median 80%	65%median 74%
HSPF2	77% (higher)median 9.4	28% (higher)median 8.5
SEER2	48% (higher)median 15.6	21% (higher)median 17.5
EER2	26% (higher)median 10.0	19% (higher)median 10.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	67% (higher)median 22,600 Btu/h	59% (higher)median 21,800 Btu/h
Outdoor models	11	11
AHRI certifications	20	18

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Proair	SMARTFLEX
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	45.5%5 models	36.4%4 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	45.5%5 models	36.4%4 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	63.6%7 models	63.6%7 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	0%0 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 · 3 groups where both have models

Proair
SMARTFLEX
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Proair	SMARTFLEX
Ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 55%	1 · index 28%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 46%	1 · index 24%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 53%	1 · index 28%
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	1 · index 22%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	6 · index 22%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	3 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · index 19%

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 type	ProairCold-climate score, best model	SMARTFLEXCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	35.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS18CMB22S1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207616613
Ducted, 2 tons	67.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P15-24REFN1with ducted air handler PAC-24B-HWDN13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 215449957	45.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS24CMB22S1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207616615
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P30-40HFN1-Dwith ducted air handler PAC-36C-HWND14 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215449960	37.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS36CMB22S1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207616618
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P30-48HFN1-Dwith ducted air handler PAH-48HWFN12 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215449955	40.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS42CMB22S1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207616621
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	64.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS18CMB22S5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207616612
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	66.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS24CMB22S1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207616614
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHP36CSB22Swith ductless indoor unit DHP36NWB22S3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 209818487
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	31.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS42CMB22S1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207616620

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 type	ProairAll-around score, best model	SMARTFLEXAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	22.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS18CMB22S1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207616613
Ducted, 2 tons	65.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P30-24HFN1with ducted air handler PAH-24HWFN13 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217550387	27.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS24CMB22S1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207616615
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	68.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P30-36HFN1-Swith ducted air handler PAH-36HWFN16 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215449954	24.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS36CMB22S1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207616618
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P30-60HFN1-Dwith ducted air handler PAH-60HWFN12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215449956	28.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS42CMB22S1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207616621
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	50.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS18CMB22S6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207616612
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	55.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS24CMB22S1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207616614
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	47.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHP36CSB22Swith ductless indoor unit DHP36NWB22S3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209818487
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	18.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHS42CMB22S1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207616620

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
Rating	Proair	SMARTFLEX
COP at 5°F	beats 74% · 2.20P15-24REFN1Ducted, 2 tons	beats 53% · 1.85DHP36CSB22SNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 92% · 92%P30-48HFN1-DDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 115%DHS24CMB22SNon-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 93% · 10.0P30-40HFN1-DDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 73% · 10.0DHS24CMB22SNon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 69% · 17.3P30-30HFN1Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 51% · 20.0DHP30CSB22SNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 67% · 11.7P30-36HFN1-SDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 53% · 11.3DHP30CSB22SNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 96% · 38,000 Btu/hP30-36HFN1-SDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 21,800 Btu/hDHS18CMB22SNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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