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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%

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.

AUX

  1. 1ASUM42HPMULOAUX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 83% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    76.8score / 100
  2. 2AHU48HPV1BOwith ducted air handler AHU48HPV1BIAUX4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    76.7score / 100
  3. 3AHU48HPV1AOwith ducted air handler AHU48HPV1AIAUX4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 84% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    84% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    72.3score / 100

Carrier

  1. 1H5H0V48*K*AAA*with indoor coil D(A,C,E)61A3J+TDR and furnace *80CSU0802120ACarrier (sold as HEIL)3.5 tons · 43,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    89.7score / 100
  2. 2H5H0V60*K*AAA*with indoor coil D(A,C,E)61A3J+TDR and furnace *80CTL1102120BCarrier (sold as HEIL)4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.38 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    84.1score / 100
  3. 3293VAN048**AA*with indoor coil C(A,C,D,E)48C3J+TDR and furnace 88*TB66135C24Carrier (sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems)3.5 tons · 41,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.68 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    83.4score / 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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