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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 54% and a typical THERMAL ZONE model 43%. 1HVAC rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

1HVAC

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

87 models listed

THERMAL ZONE

43%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

88 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 44%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 68%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°F1HVAC: Beats 62%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 37%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF21HVAC: Beats 61%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 31%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER21HVAC: Beats 59%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 26%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER21HVAC: Beats 43%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 36%

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
    63%
    THERMAL ZONE
    13%

  • Xcel CC

    1HVAC
    55%
    THERMAL ZONE
    7%

  • CEE Advanced

    1HVAC
    1%
    THERMAL ZONE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    1HVAC
    41%
    THERMAL ZONE
    22%

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), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

1HVAC

  1. 1HVH837GKA2*with indoor coil EN(A,D,W)4X60L24**+WALLCON and furnace *95CSU0802120A1HVAC2.5 tons · 32,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 71.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    75.4score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 83
  2. 2HVH837GKA**with indoor coil EN(A,D,W)4X60L24**+WALLCON and furnace *80CTL0902120A1HVAC2.5 tons · 32,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 71.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    75.4score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 83
  3. 3ES-27Z-M3B1HVAC2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    75.4score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 86

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZPLAD1530AJNwith ducted air handler TZHDLVST3617*NANTHERMAL ZONE2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 54% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    55% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    58.0score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 65
  2. 2TZPLV362PAwith ducted air handler TZHVLE3621JATHERMAL ZONE3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    56.1score / 100Heating 75 · Cooling 38
  3. 3TZPLAD1536AJNwith ducted air handler TZHDLVST3617*NANTHERMAL ZONE3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 56% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    57% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    54.7score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 54

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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