Us vs Them

Us vs Them The Real Difference

In the world of APUs, not all units are created equal. Our detailed comparisons dive deep into the specifics, showing exactly why our epu™ outshines the competition—whether it’s the latest electric models or traditional fuel-guzzling APUs.

epu™ vs. Electric APUs

Feature Our epu™ TriPac Envidia (Electric APU) Electric APU Carrier ComfortPro Electric APU Idle Free Series 5000 eAPU
Country of Origin USA USA not specified USA USA
System Type Fully self-contained hybrid energy heating and cooling (HeHC) Traditional refrigerating system Advanced electric cooling and heating system Engineless electric cooling and heating High capacity cooling-only electric APU
Operational Independence Self-operating; no truck needed Requires connection to the truck engine Requires connection to the truck engine Requires connection to the truck engine Requires connection to the truck engine
Power Source LiFePo4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Dry cell AGM batteries (Absorbed Glass Mat) Lithium battery pack Two Li-ion or four AGM batteries 4 deep cycle AGM batteries
System Components 1 component 4 components: alternator, condenser, evaporator, main unit 4 components: air conditioner, battery pack, heater, alternator 5 components: power plant, climate control unit, batteries, controller, alternator 4 components: evaporator, condenser, battery box, alternator
Connection to Engine No engine connection required Requires custom alternator setup Requires custom alternator setup Requires custom alternator setup Requires custom alternator setup
Warranty Concerns Maintains truck warranty Changes to alternator or other modifications may impact truck warranty Changes to alternator or other modifications may impact truck warranty Changes to alternator or other modifications may impact truck warranty Changes to alternator or other modifications may impact truck warranty
Weight of the Unit 111 lbs Approx. 470 lbs for all components Approximately 400 lbs 347 lbs (Li-ion model) / 470 lbs (AGM model) 439 lbs with battery box
Battery Life Up to 6,000 cycles / up to 10 years Not specified Not specified Not specified 2 years (varies depending on use)
Battery Recharge Time Recharges to full capacity in 4.5 hours Not specified Not specified Not specified 6 hours with AGM batteries
Running Time 12 -14 hours of cooling or heating, depends on ambient temperature Not specified. Varies based on load and configuration Not specified. Varies based on load and configuration Up to 17 hours with Li-ion, 11 hours with AGM Not specified. Varies based on load and configuration
Cooling Capacity 9,000 BTU 8,000 BTU Not specified 7,500 BTU 10,000 BTU
Heating Capacity 7,200 BTU 7,500 BTU (13,600 BTU optional) Not specified 7,000 BTU (cab heater) or 17,200 BTU (engine pre-heat) Cooling only
Installation Time 2 hours, no shop needed Longer, requires shop setup and multiple connections Up to 2 days Professional installation required Professional installation required
Maintenance Maintenance-free Requires regular checks, pre-trip inspections, and authorized dealer service Less maintenance than traditional APUs, but requires periodic checks Virtually maintenance-free with few moving parts Minimal maintenance required
Environmental Impact Zero emissions, meets CARB and anti-idling regulations Zero emissions, meets CARB and anti-idling regulations Zero emissions, meets CARB and anti-idling regulations Zero emissions, meets CARB and anti-idling regulations Zero emissions, meets CARB and anti-idling regulations
Noise Levels In-cabin: <4 dB, Outside unit: <11 dB Not specified Not specified Not specified Not specified
Unique Maintenance Issues No maintenance requirements Needs same type of batteries for optimal performance; requires maintenance by authorized dealers Requires battery monitoring and some maintenance Requires battery monitoring; sealed components reduce maintenance Requires battery separator maintenance
Additional Requirements No alternator or engine modifications Requires alternator upgrades to 270 amps or more Requires connection modifications Minimum 240A alternator required Minimum alternator capacity of 270 amps
Battery Warranty Covered under 2-year full system warranty Maintenance must be performed by Thermo King dealers to keep warranty valid Not specified 5-year warranty on Li-ion batteries 2-year warranty
Shore Power Recharge Ability Can recharge from truck system, solar panels, generators or grid Limited shore power options, specifics not detailed Can recharge from standard outlet, specifics on solar charging not detailed Shore power compatible; extends runtime and battery charge Compatible with shore power (Cab Power® system)
Controls Controlled via the app with Satellite, Bluetooth, cellular connectivity, and remote access available. Physical controller mounted in the cab Physical control system, advanced battery monitoring Programmable control panel with diagnostics Easy-to-use control panel on evaporator unit

Us vs. Diesel APU

Benefit Our epu™ Commercial Fuel APUs
Fuel Savings Saves 1 gallon of diesel per hour No fuel savings
Annual Idling Hours 3,000 hours 2,921 hours
Annual Fuel Savings 3,000 gallons 0 gallons
CO2 Emissions Reduction 67,349.3 lbs 0 lbs
Emissions Reduction Reduces greenhouse gas emissions No emissions reduction
Engine Wear and Tear Reduces engine wear and maintenance No impact on engine wear
Noise Reduction Operates silently during rest periods Operational noise present
Cabin Comfort No noise, no vibration, clean air Noise, vibration, exhaust fumes present
Remote Monitoring Controlled via proprietary app Varies by APU model
Regulatory Compliance Exceeds compliance with CARB and anti-idling regulations, reducing fines and improving fleet standards Often non-compliant, risking penalties and fines
Battery Maintenance Maintenance-free High maintenance: oil changes, filter replacements
Installation Time Quick 2-hour installation Complex, requires professional setup
System Weight Lightweight (130 lbs) Heavy (300-500 lbs)
Durability High battery cycle life (up to 10 years) Dependent on frequent engine servicing
Running Cost Virtually no operating costs High operating costs due to fuel usage
Idle Regulation Compliance Fully meets strict idle regulations, enhancing operational compliance and reducing risks Non-compliant with many idle regulations, leading to fines and restrictions
Flexibility Operates independently without engine connection Requires truck engine integration
Upfront Investment Moderate initial cost, ROI within 9-12 months Higher long-term costs despite lower initial price