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1HVAC vs THERMAL ZONE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical 1HVAC model beats 61% and a typical THERMAL ZONE model 30%. 1HVAC rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

1HVAC

61%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

70 models listed

THERMAL ZONE

30%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

101 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°F1HVAC: Beats 57%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°F1HVAC: Beats 59%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 26%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF21HVAC: Beats 71%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 23%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER21HVAC: Beats 64%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 24%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER21HVAC: Beats 55%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 31%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    1HVAC
    87%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

  • Xcel CC

    1HVAC
    74%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

  • CEE Advanced

    1HVAC
    4%
    THERMAL ZONE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    1HVAC
    77%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

1HVAC

  1. 1ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C1HVAC3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MC1HVAC3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.7 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.8score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 72
  3. 3ACIQ-27Z-HH-M4C1HVAC2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 82

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AEW37J+TDRTHERMAL ZONE2.5 tons · 31,600 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.6Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    102% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.66 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    58.7score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 45
  2. 2TZID30H520ZCSwith ducted air handler TZID30H520ZAMTHERMAL ZONE2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 61% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    62% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    45.1score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 41
  3. 3TZID36H520ZCSwith ducted air handler TZID36H520ZAMTHERMAL ZONE3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 59.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.1 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    44.5score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 29

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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