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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

1HVAC

  1. 1ACIQ-60-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-60-AH321HVAC4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    85.1score / 100
  2. 2ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C1HVAC4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.7score / 100
  3. 3ACIQ-55Z-HH-M6C1HVAC4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 87% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.2score / 100

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZID48H520ZCSwith indoor coil TZID60H520ZACD and furnace MGV96U120D5CTHERMAL ZONE4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 89% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    65.9score / 100
  2. 2TZID60H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID60H520ZATHERMAL ZONE4.5 tons · 55,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 75% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    64.7score / 100
  3. 3TZID60H520ZCSwith indoor coil TZID60H520ZACD and furnace MGV96U120D5CTHERMAL ZONE4 tons · 50,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    60.6score / 100

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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