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ACIQ vs TCL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ACIQ model beats 50% and a typical TCL model 49%. ACIQ rates slightly higher overall.

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

ACIQ

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

175 models listed

TCL

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

177 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°FACIQ: Beats 55%TCL: Beats 36%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FACIQ: Beats 43%TCL: Beats 50%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ACIQ: Beats 52%TCL: Beats 52%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ACIQ: Beats 49%TCL: Beats 59%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ACIQ: Beats 52%TCL: Beats 41%

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

    ACIQ
    55%
    TCL
    76%

  • Xcel CC

    ACIQ
    46%
    TCL
    72%

  • CEE Advanced

    ACIQ
    2%
    TCL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ACIQ
    34%
    TCL
    64%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

ACIQ

  1. 1ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MCACIQ1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    120% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.5score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 93
  2. 2ACIQ-09ZS-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MCACIQ1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.8score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 80
  3. 3ACIQ-18-HPDwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WMBACIQ1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 86.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.3 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.1 (EER2)
    Great
    79.8score / 100Heating 87 · Cooling 73

TCL

  1. 1TMH18HEI2NAS0U25*TCLAlso listed as H18FMHD3XPC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    72.9score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 91
  2. 2TMH18HEI2NAO0U24TCLAlso listed as H18FMH22XPC1.5 tons · 17,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 57.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    84% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    69.0score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 80
  3. 3TSH09HEI2NAO0T24*with ducted air handler TDH09IEI2NAD24TCL1 ton · 9,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 59.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.6 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    65.2score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 71

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.

Open the advanced view