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AUX vs Carrier: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AUX model beats 52% and a typical Carrier model 48%. AUX rates slightly higher overall.

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

AUX

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

149 models listed

Carrier

48%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

816 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°FAUX: Beats 62%Carrier: Beats 56%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAUX: Beats 51%Carrier: Beats 34%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AUX: Beats 43%Carrier: Beats 40%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AUX: Beats 51%Carrier: Beats 42%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AUX: Beats 40%Carrier: Beats 59%

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

    AUX
    68%
    Carrier
    40%
  • Xcel CC

    AUX
    63%
    Carrier
    27%
  • CEE Advanced

    AUX
    1%
    Carrier
    1%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AUX
    44%
    Carrier
    27%

All-around best, ductless 2.5–3 tons

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

AUX

  1. 1AM4-H36/2DR3BAUXAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    78.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 83
  2. 2AM4-H30/2DR3AAUXAlso listed as ASPR30HPMULO2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    66.6score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 76
  3. 3AM4-H36/2DR3AAUXAlso listed as ASPR36HPMULO3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 51.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 74

Carrier

  1. 1RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB301UTP-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 85.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    24.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.1 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    91.0score / 100Heating 86 · Cooling 96
  2. 2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.42 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    12.1 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    29.1 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    17.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    89.2score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 100
  3. 3RAV-BP361AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB361UTP-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 85.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    24.8 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    88.2score / 100Heating 84 · Cooling 93

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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