Brand Findings
Multi MFG MAIRHP-35-WM is Illegal and Non-Compliant
Failure to be listed in the NRCan Searchable Product List
In Canada, all air-conditioning and heat-pump systems must be listed in the NRCan database. In fact, it is illegal to import or sell a unit that is not listed. At the time of this publication, March 16, 2026, the Multi MFG MAIRHP-35-WM cannot be located in the NRCan Searchable Product List.
Failure to meet NRCan Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Wuxi Hammer manufactures Multi MFG MAIRHP-35-WM, which has a claimed nominal cooling capacity of 9,600 BTU. Under federal law (Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 + AHRI 210/240), any 9,600 BTU heat pump in this class must meet a 13.4 SEER2 rating of 13.4 to be legally sold, installed, or used in Canada. Multi MFG misrepresents its 14.8 SEER rating, making it appear compliant; however, that rating is impossible and fake. SEER is also an incorrect and illegal rating. This alone renders the units illegal.
Fraudulent and Fake Numbers
Multi MFG MAIRHP-35-WM is manufactured by Wuxi Hammer (China), and Wuxi Hammer publishes very different numbers. Wuxi Hammer claims the same unit has 12,000 BTU and a SEER of 16.95.
When Multi MFG went to publish their own numbers, apparently, they didn’t trust the manufactured, fake data from Wuxi Hammer, possibly because Multi MFG could do math, and saw the numbers didn't make sense, and also perhaps because Multi MFG strongly doubted that Wuxi Hammer’s unit could genuinely achieve the capacity and efficiency it claimed. Therefore, Multi MFG likely further reduced the capacity and efficiency, hoping that at least these reduced numbers would seem real.
Multi MFG reduced the totally fake 12,000 BTU to a more reasonable 9,600 BTU and dropped the SEER from a totally fake 16.95 to a more conservative 14.8. Multi MFG did a much better job fudging the data than their manufacturer, who provided the fabricated data by ensuring the math would work and using more realistic numbers. However, the data Multi MFG provides is still bogus.
Regulatory Violation Summary: Multi MFG — MAIRHP-35-WM
This product is illegal to distribute, specify, install, or use in the United States and Canada. Multi MFG's published efficiency numbers are fabricated and use three separate illegal rating metrics — publishing SEER instead of SEER2, COP instead of HSPF2, and EER instead of SEER2 or CEER — none of which have been legally acceptable since January 1, 2023. The MAIRHP-35-WM fails to meet DOE and NRCan minimum efficiency requirements under every applicable classification.
Minimum Efficiency Requirements Not Met | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Classification | Metric | Legal Minimum Required | Multi MFG's Status | Result |
Heat Pump (9,600 BTU cooling) | SEER2 | ≥ 13.4 | Publishes illegal SEER and EER metrics with fabricated data | ❌ Fails |
Heat Pump (9,600 BTU heating) | HSPF2 | ≥ 5.4 (Canada) / ≥ 6.7 (US) | Publishes an illegal COP metric instead of HSPF2 | ❌ Fails |
Room Air Conditioner (9,600 BTU) | CEER | ≥ 9.3 | Publishes an illegal EER metric with fabricated data | ❌ Fails |
These ratings cannot simply be invented. They must be established through testing in a genuine laboratory under correct DOE and NRCan test procedures. Multi MFG has not done this, and the data it publishes makes clear why.
Illegal Rating Metrics Used | ||
|---|---|---|
Required Metric | Metric Multi MFG Publishes Instead | Legal Status |
SEER2 | SEER | ❌ Illegal — SEER retired January 1, 2023 |
SEER2 or CEER | EER | ❌ Illegal — EER is not an acceptable substitute for SEER2 or CEER under any applicable standard |
HSPF2 | COP | ❌ Illegal — COP is not an acceptable substitute for HSPF2 under any applicable standard |
Publishing three separate retired or inapplicable metrics simultaneously is not a technicality or an oversight. SEER, EER, and COP were all replaced by mandatory legal requirements in 2023. Their continued use constitutes a deliberate misrepresentation of compliance status to customers, dealers, and regulators.
Faking Test Results | ||
|---|---|---|
Violation | US Law Violated | Canadian Law Violated |
Multi MFG fabricated MAIRHP-35-WM laboratory test data rather than conducting legitimate testing under the required industry methods, AHRI 210/240, and ASHRAE 37 | 10 CFR Part 429 | Energy Efficiency Act; Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
Published cooling efficiency numbers are fabricated and mathematically impossible, and could not result from any legitimate test | 10 CFR Part 430 | Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
Published heating efficiency numbers are fabricated and mathematically impossible, and could not result from any legitimate test | 10 CFR Part 430 | Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
Multi MFG publishes three illegal and retired metrics — SEER instead of SEER2, EER instead of SEER2 or CEER, and COP instead of HSPF2 — all mandatory since January 1, 2023 | 10 CFR Part 430 | Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
Multi MFG failed to use the correct AHRI 210/240 and ASHRAE 37 test methods, rendering every efficiency rating ever published legally invalid | 10 CFR Part 429/430 | Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
Selling a Product That Should Not Be on the Market | ||
|---|---|---|
Violation | US Law Violated | Canadian Law Violated |
MAIRHP-35-WM does not meet minimum efficiency standards under any applicable product classification, exposing every distributor and dealer carrying the product to joint legal liability | 10 CFR Part 430 | MEPS under Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
The product fails mandatory SEER2 minimum cooling efficiency thresholds at 9,600 BTU because published numbers are falsified | SEER2 under 10 CFR Part 430 | CEER under Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
The product fails mandatory HSPF2 minimum heating efficiency thresholds at 9,600 BTU because published numbers are falsified | HSPF2 under 10 CFR Part 430 | Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
Multi MFG never registered the MAIRHP-35-WM in the DOE's Compliance Certification Management System (CCMS) or filed required certification reports before distribution | DOE CCMS — fines up to $575/model/day under 10 C.F.R. § 429.120 | — |
Multi MFG never listed the MAIRHP-35-WM on NRCan's searchable product database, meaning the product was never legally cleared for import or interprovincial sale in Canada. | — | NRCan Searchable Product Database; Energy Efficiency Act |
MAIRHP-35-WM was never certified by an accredited certification body and does not carry the mandatory compliance mark | DOE Certification under 10 CFR Part 429 | Standards Council of Canada Energy Efficiency Verification Mark |
Multi MFG violated product classification rules, affecting which efficiency standards and test procedures apply | DOE Product Classification Rules under 10 CFR Part 430 | NRCan Product Classification Rules under Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
Lying to Customers and Regulators | ||
|---|---|---|
Violation | US Law Violated | Canadian Law Violated |
MAIRHP-35-WM efficiency and capacity ratings directly conflict with what government-certified testing would produce, and false information was filed with regulators | 10 CFR Part 429.12; 18 U.S.C. § 1001 — federal criminal offence | Energy Efficiency Act — fines up to $10,000 per violation |
Nameplates, product literature, and marketing materials display fabricated efficiency ratings using three separate illegal and retired metrics — SEER, EER, and COP — in violation of US and Canadian labeling requirements | FTC Energy Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 305; DOE Labeling Requirements under 10 CFR Part 430 | NRCan Product Classification and EnerGuide Labeling Requirements under Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 |
Multi MFG misrepresented the MAIRHP-35-WM certification and compliance status to customers, dealers, regulators, and certification bodies | 18 U.S.C. § 1001 — federal criminal offense | Energy Efficiency Act offense |
Breaking Consumer Protection and Competition Laws | ||
|---|---|---|
Violation | US Law Violated | Canadian Law Violated |
False efficiency claims, three separate illegal and retired rating metrics, and misleading energy performance advertising constitute deceptive trade practices, exposing Multi MFG to regulatory action and civil lawsuits from competitors, including claims for damages | FTC Act Section 5, 15 U.S.C. § 45; Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) | Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34 |
Maximum penalties for serious violations or refusal to take corrective action | FTC civil penalties up to $53,088 per violation | Energy Efficiency Act fines $10,000–$200,000 |