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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 average

189 models listed

TCL

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

192 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 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

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%
    TCL
    75%

  • Xcel CC

    AUX
    66%
    TCL
    72%

  • CEE Advanced

    AUX
    1%
    TCL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AUX
    35%
    TCL
    63%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AUX

  1. 1ASUM42HPMULOAUX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 60.1Meets 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
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.4 (EER2)
    Great
    74.4score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 89
  2. 2AM5-H42/2DR3BAUX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 50.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    72.2score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 94

TCL

  1. 1TMH48HEI2NAS0U25TCL4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 48.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    70.2score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 92
  2. 2H48FMHD6XPCTCLAlso listed as TMH48HEI2NAS0U254 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 42.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    67.5score / 100Heating 43 · Cooling 92
  3. 3TMH42HDI2NAO0U25*TCLAlso listed as H42FMH22XQC3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 33.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.2 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    49.5score / 100Heating 33 · Cooling 66

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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