RUSSELL heat pump efficiency: 60 outdoor models compared

RUSSELL has 60 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 1,231 AHRI-certified combinations. Each model is compared with models of the same size and duct type, so the scores below do not depend on which sizes RUSSELL makes. RUSSELL has no QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file, so it is not ranked against other manufacturers.

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ManufacturerData as of Oct 9, 2026updated Oct 10, 2026 · sources

Outdoor models: 60
AHRI certifications: 1,231
Efficiency index: 49%; Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (22 models)
Meet CEE 2025: 16.7%; 10 models

How RUSSELL compares with comparable models

For each rating: the share of same-size, same-type models that a typical model of this manufacturer beats (50% is typical), its rank, and the raw median for context. Raw medians are not comparable across manufacturers that make different sizes.

RUSSELL against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of RUSSELL’s own modelsRUSSELL is strongest on COP at 5°F (its typical model beats 80% of comparable models) and weakest on HSPF2 (25%).

RUSSELL
Middle half of its models
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile of RUSSELL’s models
Rating	Beats comparable models	Rank	Raw median
Efficiency index22 models scored	49%	Not ranked	—
COP at 5°F22 models scored	80%	Not ranked	2.20
Capacity retention at 5°F22 models scored	43%	Not ranked	57%
HSPF249 models scored	25%	Not ranked	7.2
SEER249 models scored	32%	Not ranked	14.3
EER249 models scored	42%	Not ranked	10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F22 models scored	42%	Not ranked	24,200 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of RUSSELL’s models with at least one qualifying certification
Standard	Share	Models
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	16.7%	10
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	16.7%	10
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	3.3%	2
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	13.3%	8
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	3.3%	2
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	21.7%	13

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.

RUSSELL’s models inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · blue: the middle half of this manufacturer’s models there, median dot, 10th–90th percentile line

RUSSELL (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
All models of the group

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Share of comparable models beaten, per peer group
Size and duct type	Models	Index	COP@5°F	HSPF2	SEER2
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	2	27%	70%	17%	17%
Ducted, 2 tons	7	52%	74%	32%	37%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	17	52%	86%	21%	27%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	26	50%	79%	28%	37%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	8	70%	98%	22%	28%

Every RUSSELL model in the market

RUSSELL’s 60 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.

RUSSELL models by size and ratingColoured: RUSSELL · grey shapes: all 11,475 models · lines: catalog medians by size

RUSSELL models
Ducted median by size
Non-ducted median by size
Every model at each size (width = count)
Standard threshold

Dots: 60 russell models, each through its representative certification, in the colour of the rating shown. The grey shapes count all 11,475 models, half a ton at a time.

Show the data as a table

COP at 5°F by size and duct type (every model, by rated cooling capacity)
Duct type, size	Models	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Ducted, 0.5 tons	175	1.70	1.85	1.90	2.10	2.26
Ducted, 1 ton	340	1.85	1.90	2.00	2.40	2.65
Ducted, 1.5 tons	789	1.75	1.85	2.00	2.20	2.55
Ducted, 2 tons	782	1.73	1.80	2.00	2.10	2.33
Ducted, 2.5 tons	735	1.71	1.80	1.90	2.09	2.48
Ducted, 3 tons	652	1.68	1.70	1.90	2.06	2.36
Ducted, 3.5 tons	641	1.61	1.80	1.95	2.20	2.50
Ducted, 4 tons	367	1.70	1.80	1.91	2.02	2.52
Ducted, 4.5 tons	544	1.70	1.80	1.91	2.08	2.34
Ducted, 5 tons	25	1.80	1.80	1.90	1.90	2.15
Non-ducted, 0.5 tons	717	1.75	1.81	1.97	2.10	2.19
Non-ducted, 1 ton	1,064	1.75	1.80	1.90	2.07	2.25
Non-ducted, 1.5 tons	886	1.80	1.80	1.87	2.07	2.21
Non-ducted, 2 tons	564	1.80	1.80	1.83	2.04	2.21
Non-ducted, 2.5 tons	275	1.80	1.81	1.84	1.86	2.03
Non-ducted, 3 tons	502	1.80	1.80	1.90	2.00	2.09
Non-ducted, 3.5 tons	70	1.82	1.83	1.90	2.00	2.28
Non-ducted, 4 tons	263	1.80	1.80	1.98	2.00	2.10
Non-ducted, 4.5 tons	103	1.77	1.77	1.80	1.97	2.02
Non-ducted, 5 tons	29	1.98	2.00	2.10	2.30	2.47

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Top RUSSELL models

Its top five cold-climate picks and its top five all-around models across sizes (both scores compare each model with models of its own size and duct type, so sizes compare), then, on each single rating, the model that beats the largest share of comparable models.

Cold-climate picks

Top 5 RUSSELL cold-climate picks across sizes. 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.
# · Outdoor model	Size · type	Cap. 5/47	COP@5°F	HSPF2	Btu/h @5°F	SEER2	Meets	Combos	AHRI ref.	Compared with	Score
1SP18AZ36AJVCRUSSELL · VANTIXwith ducted air handler SHMVZ6021SEACA	3 tons34,200 Btu/h · Ducted	121%	2.20	8.5	43,500	18.0	CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC	30	210106900	Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.6
2SP18AZ48AJVCRUSSELLwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V1005A21M4S	3.5 tons44,500 Btu/h · Ducted	103%	2.00	8.5	45,000	19.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	22	210106968	Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.3
3SP18AZ24AJVCRUSSELL · VANTIXwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace S951V0403A17UHU	2 tons22,800 Btu/h · Ducted	109%	2.10	8.5	26,200	20.0	CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC	27	213372369	Ducted, 2 tons	74.7
4SP18AZ60AJVCRUSSELLwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V0705A21M4S	4.5 tons52,500 Btu/h · Ducted	96%	2.00	8.1	50,500	18.0	CEE 25CEE 26Xcel	15	210106984	Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	71.7
5RD17AZ48AJ3NRUSSELL · VANTIXwith indoor coil TCFZ6024SEANM and furnace S921V1005A21M4S	4 tons45,500 Btu/h · Ducted	84%	2.10	8.1	40,500	16.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	98	214097570	Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	69.4

All-around best

Top 5 RUSSELL models on the all-around score across sizes. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
# · Outdoor model	Size · type	Cap. 5/47	COP@5°F	HSPF2	SEER2	EER2	Meets	Combos	AHRI ref.	Compared with	Score	Heating half	Cooling half	Cold-climate score
1SP18AZ36AJVCRUSSELL · VANTIXwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521Z	3 tons34,200 Btu/h · Ducted	119%	2.20	8.5	20.0	12.5	CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC	30	210589394	Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	87.2	80.5	93.8	80.6
2SP18AZ24AJVCRUSSELL · VANTIXwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace S951V0403A17UHU	2 tons22,800 Btu/h · Ducted	109%	2.10	8.5	20.0	12.5	CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC	27	213372369	Ducted, 2 tons	83.6	74.7	92.4	74.7
3SP18AZ48AJVCRUSSELL · VANTIXwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521Z	4 tons45,000 Btu/h · Ducted	94%	2.00	8.5	19.0	11.7	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	22	210589350	Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	80.3	75.1	85.4	76.3
4RD17AZ48AJ3NRUSSELL · VANTIXwith ducted air handler SH3VZ6024STACN	4 tons45,500 Btu/h · Ducted	83%	2.00	8.1	17.0	11.7	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	98	215366205	Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	72.8	66.1	79.5	69.4
5RD17AZ36AJ3NRUSSELL · VANTIXwith ducted air handler SH2VZ3621MTANA	3 tons34,200 Btu/h · Ducted	53%	2.30	8.5	19.0	12.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	111	214066463	Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.9	55.6	86.1	64.8

Best model on each rating

RUSSELL’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
Rating	Model	Value	Compared with	Beats	AHRI ref.
COP at 5°F	SP15AZ60AJ2N	2.60	Ducted, 5 tons and up	98%	212387320
Capacity retention at 5°F	SP18AZ48AJVC	105%	Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	100%	214802160
HSPF2	RD17AZ24AJ3N	9.5	Ducted, 2 tons	75%	214075414
SEER2	SP18AZ24AJVC	20.0	Ducted, 2 tons	94%	210106910
EER2	SP18AZ36AJVC	12.5	Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	91%	210106900
Heating capacity at 5°F	SP18AZ36AJVC	43,500 Btu/h	Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	100%	210106900

All 60 RUSSELL models in Explore

RUSSELL size class by size class: cold-climate and all-around

Its best model on each board in every size and duct type it makes. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there). Cold-climate picks must keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F; the all-around score needs all five ratings and has no such bar.

RUSSELL: best cold-climate pick and best all-around model per size and duct type, with how many of its models are on each board (top 5 and 5 per class are in the snapshot)
Size and duct type	Cold-climate pickCold-climate score, best model	All-around bestAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	34.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AZ18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2CZ2417STANN2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211627516
Ducted, 2 tons	74.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace S951V0403A17UHU2 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213372369	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace S951V0403A17UHU4 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213372369
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ36AJVCwith ducted air handler SHMVZ6021SEACA2 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 210106900	87.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521Z6 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210589394
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V1005A21M4S4 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 210106968	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521Z9 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210589350
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AZ60AJ2Nwith indoor coil TCFZ6024STANM and furnace S97MV1005A21DHS1 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212387320

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest RUSSELL certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.

The 5 most recently certified RUSSELL outdoor models
Outdoor model	Size · type	COP@5°F	Cap. 5/47	HSPF2	SEER2	Meets	Combos	AHRI ref.
RD17AZ36AJ3NRUSSELL · VANTIXwith ducted air handler SH3VZ3617STACN	3 tons34,200 Btu/h · Ducted	2.00	50%	8.5	18.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	111	215366208
RD17AZ48AJ3NRUSSELL · VANTIXwith ducted air handler SH3VZ6024STACN	4 tons45,500 Btu/h · Ducted	2.00	83%	8.1	17.0	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	98	215366205
SP15AZ36AJ2NRUSSELLwith indoor coil TCFZ3621STANM and furnace S951V1005A21UHU	3 tons33,800 Btu/h · Ducted	2.20	59%	7.5	14.3	ES CC	72	215222816
RD17AZ60AJ3NRUSSELLwith indoor coil TCFZ6021STAAM and furnace S921T1005A21M4	4.5 tons54,500 Btu/h · Ducted	2.00	73%	8.1	17.0	XcelES CC	53	215222804
RD17AZ24AJ3NRUSSELLwith ducted air handler SB2CZ2417STANM	2 tons22,600 Btu/h · Ducted	2.00	53%	8.1	15.2	CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC	79	214802265

Shares hardware with

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Rheem5 shared families
Friedrich4 shared families

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Manufacturers of a similar size, side by side.

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RUSSELL includes these brand names as listed in AHRI: RUSSELL. Standards are checked against published thresholds; program rules beyond ratings are not checked.