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ACIQ vs TCL heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, TCL scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. ACIQ has 175 outdoor models, TCL has 177 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, TCL 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 index50% (higher)median —49% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F55% (higher)median 2.0036% (higher)median 1.89
Capacity retention at 5°F43%median 69%50%median 75%
HSPF252%median 8.552%median 9.5
SEER249%median 17.059%median 20.0
EER252% (higher)median 11.241% (higher)median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F46%median 19,600 Btu/h51%median 17,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models175177
AHRI certifications18,053636

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardACIQTCL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)55.4%97 models75.7%134 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)53.1%93 models75.7%134 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.7%3 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)46.3%81 models72.3%128 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.7%3 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate33.7%59 models64.4%114 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • ACIQ
  • TCL
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 tons16 · index 64%10 · index 62%
Ducted, 2 tons24 · index 47%11 · index 49%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons36 · index 49%19 · index 59%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons57 · index 48%22 · index 51%
Ducted, 5 tons and up7 · index 65%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons30 · index 49%86 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2 tons7 · index 50%18 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons13 · index 47%29 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons5 · index 52%12 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · 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 typeACIQCold-climate score, best modelTCLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPDwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WMB11 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 21698078567.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)H18TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H18FAHUDE10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218332482
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(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 21603234770.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H24FAHUDE11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218332483
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(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 21603234867.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)H30TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H30FAHUDE16 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 218332484
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-60-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-60-AH3226 of 53 models qualify · AHRI 21538724169.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)H48SDH20XQCwith ducted air handler H48APH20UDEAlso listed as THH48HDI2NAJ0H2621 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218453819
Ducted, 5 tons and up82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)B5H3V60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON5 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 218628756No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.7(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 21603233370.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U2566 of 86 models qualify · AHRI 218028413
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(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 21603234161.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24SBH23XQCwith ductless indoor unit H24SBH23XQE11 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 218451106
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4(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 21603235568.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U2519 of 28 models qualify · AHRI 218028414
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21603237248.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH48HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H48FMHD6XPC11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218028416
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone 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 typeACIQAll-around score, best modelTCLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.5(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 21603234472.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25*Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218625046
Ducted, 2 tons82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V24*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B36L0C*+WALLCON22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21862875170.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH24HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler THH24IDI2NAJ0H2613 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218467218
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H5H3V36*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON37 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21663547880.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25*17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218625047
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ES-48Z-M6C53 of 53 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603238667.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH42HEI2NAM0U24Also listed as H42FMH20XPC22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215351200
Ducted, 5 tons and up89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)B5H3V60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218628756No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.2(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 21603233382.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U2580 of 87 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028413
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.8(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 21847156064.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24SBH23XQCwith ductless indoor unit H24SBH23XQE16 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218451106
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603236783.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U2528 of 29 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028414
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603237070.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH48HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H48FMHD6XPC12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028416
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-55Z-M6C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032388No 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 99% · 2.93ACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 88% · 2.25TSH24HDI2NAL0B25Also listed as H24SVH20XQCNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 98% · 126%ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 125%H24TDHXPCDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 14.8ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 10.5TMH27HEI2NAS0U25*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 100% · 23.0H5H3V48*K*AAA*Also listed as B5H3V48*K*AAADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 26.5TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 99% · 18.0ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 14.0TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 19,600 Btu/hACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 30,000 Btu/hH24TDHXPCDucted, 2 tons

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