Which heat pumps meet rebate efficiency standards?
Rebate and tax programs often require a heat pump to meet a published efficiency level. Here is what each level asks for, in plain words, and how many certified models meet it.
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- CEE 2025Many utility rebate programs48%
- CEE 2026Utility programs updating to the 2026 level46%
- CEE AdvancedCold-climate programs (same bar as the DOE challenge)1.4%
- Xcel CCXcel Energy Colorado’s cold-climate rebate38%
- DOE CCHPU.S. Department of Energy cold-climate challenge1.4%
- ENERGY STAR CCThe ENERGY STAR cold-climate label25%
CEE 2025 Tier 1: 48%
Out of 9,640 models. A model counts when at least one of its certified pairings meets every requirement on its own. Source: AHRI directory, ENERGY STAR.
Want pass rates by size and type and what keeps models out? Switch to Advanced
What each level asks for
Many utility rebate programs
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)
Path A (heating-dominated)
- Efficiency on a 5°F day (COP at 5°F): 1.75 or more
- Heating power kept at 5°F (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F): 60% or more of its 47°F output
- Winter-long heating efficiency (HSPF2): 8.5 or more
- Summer-long cooling efficiency (SEER2): 16 or more
- Hot-day cooling efficiency (EER2): 9.8 or more
Path B (cooling-dominated / dual fuel)
- Efficiency on a 5°F day (COP at 5°F): 1.75 or more
- Heating power kept at 5°F (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F): 45% or more of its 47°F output
- Winter-long heating efficiency (HSPF2): 8 or more
- Summer-long cooling efficiency (SEER2): 16 or more
- Hot-day cooling efficiency (EER2): 11 or more
Meeting every line of either path is enough.
48% of modelsWhich models meet it
Utility programs updating to the 2026 level
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)
Path A (heating-dominated)
- Efficiency on a 5°F day (COP at 5°F): 1.75 or more
- Heating power kept at 5°F (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F): 65% or more of its 47°F output
- Winter-long heating efficiency (HSPF2): 8.5 or more
- Summer-long cooling efficiency (SEER2): 16 or more
- Hot-day cooling efficiency (EER2): 9.8 or more
Path B (cooling-dominated / dual fuel)
- Efficiency on a 5°F day (COP at 5°F): 1.75 or more
- Heating power kept at 5°F (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F): 50% or more of its 47°F output
- Winter-long heating efficiency (HSPF2): 8 or more
- Summer-long cooling efficiency (SEER2): 16 or more
- Hot-day cooling efficiency (EER2): 11 or more
Meeting every line of either path is enough.
46% of modelsWhich models meet it
Cold-climate programs (same bar as the DOE challenge)
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)
- Efficiency on a 5°F day (COP at 5°F): 2.1 or more
- Heating power kept at 5°F (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F): 100% or more of its 47°F output
- Winter-long heating efficiency (HSPF2): 8.5 or more
1.4% of modelsWhich models meet it
Xcel Energy Colorado’s cold-climate rebate
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)
Ducted units
- Efficiency on a 5°F day (COP at 5°F): 1.75 or more
- Heating power kept at 5°F (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F): 70% or more of its 47°F output
- Summer-long cooling efficiency (SEER2): 15.2 or more
- Hot-day cooling efficiency (EER2): 10 or more
Ductless units
- Efficiency on a 5°F day (COP at 5°F): 1.75 or more
- Heating power kept at 5°F (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F): 70% or more of its 47°F output
- Summer-long cooling efficiency (SEER2): 16 or more
- Hot-day cooling efficiency (EER2): 9 or more
38% of modelsWhich models meet it
U.S. Department of Energy cold-climate challenge
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge
- Efficiency on a 5°F day (COP at 5°F): 2.1 or more
- Heating power kept at 5°F (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F): 100% or more of its 47°F output
- Winter-long heating efficiency (HSPF2): 8.5 or more
1.4% of modelsWhich models meet it
The ENERGY STAR cold-climate label
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate
A listing, not a set of numbers: the model must carry ENERGY STAR’s cold-climate designation.
25% of modelsWhich models meet it
Only the ratings are checked here. Programs can also have rules about the installer, sizing and paperwork.
Next steps
Want the exact criteria tables, pass rates by size and type, how models move through the tiers and what keeps them out? Switch to Advanced.
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