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Top cold-climate picks: non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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. COP at 5°F alone is not used: it is measured at whatever heat output the unit delivers at 5°F, so a unit with little output there can still post a high COP. The single-rating boards remain, each labelled as ranked by that one rating. Only manufacturers with a QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file are ranked.

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Top cold-climate picks: Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

497 of 569 models in this size class qualify. 69 keep less than 70% of their heat at 5°F and 2 have no 5°F heat output rating, so they cannot show it. 238 of the qualifiers are from manufacturers with a QMID on file (the ranked pool).

Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons: qualifiers ranked by cold-climate score (mean of the three peer percentiles); equal scores go to the higher heat output at 5°F. Every number in a row is from the pairing the score is computed on: in each duct type, the model’s best-scoring pairing that keeps at least 70% of its heat.
# · Outdoor modelManufacturerSize · typeCap. 5/47COP@5°FHSPF2Btu/h @5°FSEER2EER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.ScoreBeats on Cap. 5/47Beats on COP@5°FBeats on HSPF2
1KUMXA421ALG · KUMXA421ALG3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted100%2.2911.048,00021.513.8CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC321540234795.998%98%92%
2AVW-48F3DAH2HisenseHisense4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted100%2.4010.854,00022.012.0CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOE321661825194.698%99%86%
3CHV6-RS48URBMHHCooper & HunterCooper&Hunter4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted100%2.4010.854,00022.012.0CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOE321702655694.698%99%86%
4KUSXA421ALG · KUSXA421Awith ductless indoor unit KNSCB421ALG3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted91%2.2010.843,50021.513.5CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC221483793088.683%96%86%
5KUMXA481ALG · KUMXA481ALG4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted100%2.3410.552,50020.513.1CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC321540863688.098%99%67%
6ZRUM048GSS0LG · ZRUM048GSS0LG4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted100%2.1010.354,00023.313.5CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC321491494780.298%82%61%
7RAV-BP421AT2P-ULTOSHIBA CARRIER · RAV-BP421AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB421CTP-ULCarrier3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted79%2.2011.133,20020.29.9CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC321641547279.444%96%98%
8MXZ-SM48NLHZ***Mitsubishi Electric · Smart MultiAlso listed as PUMY-HL48NKMU, MXZ-SM48NLHZ-Mitsubishi Electric4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted100%2.0011.554,00023.013.1CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC421568546778.498%37%100%
9MXZ-SM42NLHZ***Mitsubishi Electric · Smart MultiAlso listed as PUMY-HL42NKMU, MXZ-SM42NLHZ-Mitsubishi Electric3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted100%2.0011.148,00021.513.4CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC321568546577.698%37%98%
10AOUH42KUAH1FUJITSU · AIRSTAGE H-serieswith ductless indoor unit AUUH42KUASFujitsu3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted102%2.0210.648,00022.013.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC221789571076.7100%58%73%

Download CSV of the Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons cold-climate board

How the cold-climate score works