Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.

ACIQ and Friedrich on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, ACIQ scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

ACIQ
Friedrich
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	ACIQ	Friedrich
Efficiency index	50% (higher)median —	39% (higher)median — · 28th ranked
COP at 5°F	55% (higher)median 2.00	46% (higher)median 1.99 · 22nd ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	43% (higher)median 69%	36% (higher)median 52% · 26th ranked
HSPF2	52% (higher)median 8.5	31% (higher)median 7.5 · 28th ranked
SEER2	49% (higher)median 17.0	34% (higher)median 15.2 · 28th ranked
EER2	52% (higher)median 11.2	37% (higher)median 10.6 · 27th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	46% (higher)median 19,600 Btu/h	35% (higher)median 17,000 Btu/h · 28th ranked
Outdoor models	175	188
AHRI certifications	18,053	6,657

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	ACIQ	Friedrich
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	55.4%97 models	26.6%50 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	53.1%93 models	23.9%45 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.7%3 models	0.5%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	46.3%81 models	21.3%40 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.7%3 models	0.5%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	33.7%59 models	22.3%42 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 9 groups where both have models

ACIQ
Friedrich
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	ACIQ	Friedrich
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	16 · index 64%	21 · index 30%
Ducted, 2 tons	24 · index 47%	21 · index 31%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	36 · index 49%	46 · index 37%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	57 · index 48%	58 · index 41%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	7 · index 65%	21 · index 31%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	30 · index 49%	20 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 50%	5 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	13 · index 47%	4 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	5 · index 52%	2 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 59%	None

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). 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.
Size and duct type	ACIQCold-climate score, best model	FriedrichCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPDwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WMB11 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 216980785	73.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR24A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHFA18A3D5 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 217505657
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MC13 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 216032347	70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RD18AY24AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY2417STANM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHU4 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 217176021
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MC16 of 36 models qualify · AHRI 216032348	78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RD18AY36AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY3621MTANM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHN6 of 46 models qualify · AHRI 216891246
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-60-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-60-AH3226 of 53 models qualify · AHRI 215387241	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR48A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHFA48A3D8 of 57 models qualify · AHRI 217508872
Ducted, 5 tons and up	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V60KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON5 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 218628756	77.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP17AY60AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY6024STANM and furnace FR802V1255A24UHN1 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218328124
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD20 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 216032333	82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHSR09A3Bwith ductless indoor unit FAHFW09A3AAlso listed as FPHSR09A3D16 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 214232408
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24CC-HH-MC4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 216032341	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR24A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHFC24A3D5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216626155
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-36FM-HH-MD8 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 216032355	58.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR36A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC36A3D3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216699608
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216032372	49.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR48A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC48A3D2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216699609
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	No models in this size class

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. 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.
Size and duct type	ACIQAll-around score, best model	FriedrichAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MC16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032344	67.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR24A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHFA18A3D20 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217505657
Ducted, 2 tons	82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V24KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B36L0C+WALLCON22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218628751	75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP19AY24AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY2421HEAAM and furnace FR951V0603A17M421 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216551633
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H5H3V36KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON37 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216635478	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler RH2VY3621MTACN30 of 46 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216613170
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ES-48Z-M6C53 of 53 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032386	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY4821SEAAM and furnace FR802V0754A17UH32 of 54 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216551827
Ducted, 5 tons and up	89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V60KAAAwith ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D+WALLCON12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218628756	70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP17AY60AJVCwith ducted air handler RH2TY6024STANN14 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218328406
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD30 of 30 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032333	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHSR09A3Bwith ductless indoor unit FAHFW09A3AAlso listed as FPHSR09A3D20 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232408
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZS-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MD7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471560	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHSR24A3Bwith ductless indoor unit FAHFW24A3AAlso listed as FPHSR24A3D5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214091820
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032367	64.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHMR27A3D4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215792839
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032370	49.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR48A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC48A3D2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216699609
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-55Z-M6C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032388	No models in this size class

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	ACIQ	Friedrich
COP at 5°F	beats 99% · 2.93ACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 2.61WFPU17Y243DDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 126%ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 133%FPHFR09A3DDucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 14.8ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 86% · 10.0FRP19AY60AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 23.0H5H3V48KAAAAlso listed as B5H3V48K*AAADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 21.0FRP19AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 18.0ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 13.0RD18AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 19,600 Btu/hACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 18,600 Btu/hRD18AY24AJVCDucted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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ACIQ vs Friedrich heat pumps