AUX vs TCL: heat pump ratings compared
Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AUX model beats 49% and a typical TCL model 50%. TCL rates slightly higher overall.
Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated
AUX
49%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
About average189 models listed
TCL
50%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
About average192 models listed
- Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FAUX: Beats 60%TCL: Beats 36%
- Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAUX: Beats 51%TCL: Beats 52%
- Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AUX: Beats 40%TCL: Beats 53%
- Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AUX: Beats 48%TCL: Beats 59%
- Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AUX: Beats 39%TCL: Beats 41%
Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison
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Rebate standards
CEE 2025
- AUX
- 68%
- TCL
- 75%
Xcel CC
- AUX
- 66%
- TCL
- 72%
CEE Advanced
- AUX
- 1%
- TCL
- 0%
ENERGY STAR CC
- AUX
- 35%
- TCL
- 63%
All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons
Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.
Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?
AUX
- 1ASUM18HPMULOAUX1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 75.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Top 10%
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 9.8 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 20.5 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.3 (EER2)
- Great
- 2AFEB09HP230V1CO-Uwith ducted air handler AFEB09HP230V1SDAUX1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 53.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 93% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.85 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 9.0 (HSPF2)
- Below the middle
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.5 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 13.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 3ASPR18HPMULOAUX1.5 tons · 17,700 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 56.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.90 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 9.5 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.5 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.8 (EER2)
- Good
TCL
- 1TMH18HEI2NAS0U25*TCLAlso listed as H18FMHD3XPC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 56.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Top 10%
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.80 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 9.0 (HSPF2)
- Below the middle
- Cooling efficiency
- 21.5 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 13.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 2TSH09HEI2NAO0T24*with ducted air handler TDH09IEI2NAD24TCL1 ton · 9,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 59.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.85 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 10.0 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.6 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Good
- 3TMH18HDI2NAO0U25TCLAlso listed as TMH18HDI2NAO0U251.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 45.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Below the middle
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.90 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 9.5 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 22.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
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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