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ACIQ vs TCL heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ACIQ scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. ACIQ has 161 outdoor models, TCL has 52 outdoor models. ACIQ and TCL have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

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 TCL 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 3 of the 6 ratings.
  • ACIQ
  • TCL
  • Other ranked manufacturers
ACIQTCL

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingACIQTCL
Efficiency index47% (higher)median —43% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F48%median 1.9448%median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F43%median 59%43%median 70%
HSPF244% (higher)median 8.131% (higher)median 8.5
SEER245% (higher)median 16.038% (higher)median 19.0
EER250% (higher)median 11.130% (higher)median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F44%median 19,100 Btu/h50%median 16,720 Btu/h
Outdoor models16152
AHRI certifications6,584229

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardACIQTCL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)41%66 models42.3%22 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)34.2%55 models38.5%20 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.2%2 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)31.7%51 models36.5%19 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.2%2 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate19.3%31 models23.1%12 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 · 7 groups where both have models
  • ACIQ
  • TCL
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeACIQTCL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons14 · index 50%1 · index 31%
Ducted, 2 tons23 · index 45%5 · index 53%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons40 · index 43%4 · index 49%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons52 · index 46%3 · index 55%
Ducted, 5 tons and up5 · index 48%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons22 · index 52%23 · index 38%
Non-ducted, 2 tons6 · index 52%8 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons14 · index 51%8 · index 35%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons7 · index 48%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 typeACIQCold-climate score, best modelTCLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM9 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 21343324856.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH18HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212400611
Ducted, 2 tons79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB9 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 20782554155.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH24HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212390892
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB14 of 41 models qualify · AHRI 21085732166.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2I6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207827230
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB11 of 52 models qualify · AHRI 21085732262.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCE-60D7HWA/DV2I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 201864499
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 5 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC16 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 21085731468.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-12HA2/I3TI23with ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3TI23-I10 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 207688890
Non-ducted, 2 tons85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207825544None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B6 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 207825582None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-60FM-HH-MB5 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 210857326No 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 typeACIQAll-around score, best modelTCLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782553830.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH18HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212400611
Ducted, 2 tons80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB23 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782554176.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-24D7HWA/DV2I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207827229
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ES-27Z-M3B40 of 40 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21085738767.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2I6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211869249
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B50 of 53 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782558674.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-48D7HWA/DV2I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207827118
Ducted, 5 tons and up54.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)H4H5S60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FJMA4*60L*D4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213069077No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21085731470.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-12HA2/I3TI23with ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3TI23-I14 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207688890
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782553461.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TUM-27HA2/I2I21-21ES3 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209424844
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B11 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782558265.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TUM-36HA2/I2I21-21ES5 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209424845
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825585No 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
RatingACIQTCL
COP at 5°Fbeats 93% · 2.57R4H5S30*K*AAA*Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 2.27TUM-27HA2/I2I21-21ESNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 140%HVH837GKA2*Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 100% · 142%THH24HAI2NAF2U23Ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 10.3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 73% · 9.2TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 24.6ES-27Z-M3BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 94% · 20.0TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2 tons
EER2beats 99% · 16.6SC-09ZPL-HP230Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 13.0TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 99% · 56,500 Btu/hACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 34,000 Btu/hTHH18HAI2NAF2U23Ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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