NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, January 21, 2026 -- Ephoca, an Italian-based manufacturer of certified, high-efficiency design-driven heat pump systems, today announced the release of its Copycat Report and the launch of a public accountability initiative it calls the $1,000,000 Copycat Challenge.

The initiative targets a growing problem in the North American HVAC market: the sale of imported and private-labeled, non-compliant heat pump products with inflated, fabricated, or invalid performance claims. According to a technical audit performed by Ephoca’s engineers, these products are marketed using copied designs paired with specifications that are not possible under U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), AHRI, or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requirements.

The Copycat Report documents performance claims published by copycat units modeled after Ephoca’s AIO wall-mounted heat pumps that cannot be substantiated through certified testing. Based on a review of publicly available specifications, product labeling, and certification records, the report identifies and exposes the following brands and platforms:

• NORDICA: Relabeled by Ice Air, PMC Green, Applied Comfort, Islandaire, DesignLine, and Ortech
• ZYMBO: Relabeled by Williams, Silktech, and Kinghome.
• WUXI HAMMER: Owns the Inspiron Air brand and manufactures units for Inspiron Air, Multi MFG, and Exinda

THE $1,000,000 COPYCAT CHALLENGE
Ephoca is offering $1,000,000 to any manufacturer, distributor, engineer, or any entity that can produce a certified, independent Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) test report corroborating the claimed capacity and efficiency when tested in accordance with DOE regulations.

Ephoca’s position is clear: these claims cannot be proven through real testing.

“This is not a branding dispute,” said Yehuda Fulda, Ephoca. “It’s a compliance and integrity crisis. When equipment is sold with invented performance numbers, the risk doesn’t stop with the manufacturer. Engineers, contractors, distributors, and building owners all inherit that risk.”

PATTERNS OF NON-COMPLIANCE
Ephoca’s analysis identifies a recurring pattern of non-compliance across multiple imported and private-label HVAC products, including:
• Incorrect Metrics: Use of invented, fabricated, or outdated efficiency metrics (EER, COP, CEER) where SEER2 and HSPF2 are legally required.
• Threshold Failures: Failure to meet DOE minimum efficiency standards.
• Misclassification: Classifying products to avoid proper testing and certification.
• Physical Impossibility: Performance claims that defy thermodynamic or mathematical validation.

The Copycat report outlines how these practices constitute violations of federal law, including DOE regulations and the FTC Act’s prohibition on deceptive efficiency claims.

RISKS EXTEND BEYOND THE MANUFACTURER
Beyond identifying non-compliant products, the Copycat Challenge highlights downstream risks for professionals and organizations that rely on false specifications, including:
• Failed inspections and forced equipment removal
• Loss of contractor or professional licenses
• Breach-of-contract and indemnification claims
• Long-term asset devaluation for building owners
• Class action suits by tenants

“Too-good-to-be-true numbers don’t just distort the market,” Fulda added. “They put real projects and real people at risk.”

RAISING THE BAR FOR TRANSPARENCY
Ephoca emphasized that the Copycat Challenge is about industry accountability. “Innovation has to be earned through engineering and proven through testing,” said Fulda. “We’re putting our own capital on the line to prove that verified performance still matters.”

Ephoca’s All-in-One (AIO) heat pump systems are backed by accredited laboratory testing and independent third-party certifications, including AHRI®, ENERGY STAR®, and NEEP—ensuring transparent, compliant testing under the correct regulatory procedures.

A RESOURCE FOR ENGINEERS, SPECIFIERS, AND OWNERS
Ephoca is making the Copycat Report publicly available as a reference for engineers, contractors, specifiers, building owners, and all stakeholders evaluating HVAC products for compliance and performance.

The full report, terms and conditions, and supporting documentation are available at: www.ephoca.com/copycats

ABOUT EPHOCA
With over 20 years of experience in the climate comfort sector, Ephoca has a clear goal: growth through innovation. Ephoca’s team is laser-focused on the conception, development, and production of innovative heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning solutions. This mission has developed by bringing together technical skills, creativity, technology, design, Italian passion, and a global vision to achieve the best energy efficiency and performance. For more information, visit https://ephoca.com/

Ephoca will be showcased at the AHR Expo in Las Vegas, February 2–4, 2026. Visit Ephoca’s virtual booth now, ahead of the show: https://ahr2026.ephoca.com/