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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 47% and a typical TCL model 43%. ACIQ rates slightly higher overall.

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

ACIQ

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

161 models listed

TCL

43%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

52 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 48%TCL: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FACIQ: Beats 43%TCL: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ACIQ: Beats 44%TCL: Beats 31%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ACIQ: Beats 45%TCL: Beats 38%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ACIQ: Beats 50%TCL: Beats 30%

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
    41%
    TCL
    42%
  • Xcel CC

    ACIQ
    32%
    TCL
    37%
  • CEE Advanced

    ACIQ
    1%
    TCL
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ACIQ
    19%
    TCL
    23%

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.

ACIQ

  1. 1ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MBACIQ4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 88% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.02 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.4score / 100
  2. 2ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60CD-HH-MBACIQ4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 93% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    93% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.0score / 100
  3. 3ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5BACIQ4 tons · 47,000 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    74.9score / 100

TCL

  1. 1TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCE-60D7HWA/DV2ITCL4.5 tons · 54,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    62.3score / 100
  2. 2TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-60D7HWA/DV2ITCL4.5 tons · 54,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    60.8score / 100
  3. 3TCE-60HA/DV2ONwith ducted air handler TCE-60D7HWA/DV2ITCL4.5 tons · 54,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    56.9score / 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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