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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AUX

  1. 1ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2with ductless indoor unit ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2AUXAlso listed as ASW-H18E3B2/**R3DI-D21.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 80.6Meets 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
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    84.2score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 88
  2. 2AMAR18HP230V1COwith ductless indoor unit AMAR18HP230V1CHAUX1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.21 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.2score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 88
  3. 3AMAR09HP115V1COwith ductless indoor unit AMAR09HP115V1CHAUX1 ton · 9,200 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.9score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 88

TCL

  1. 1TMH18HEI2NAS0U25TCLAlso listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U251.5 tons · 20,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 72.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    27.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 95
  2. 2TSH09HEI2NAP0T24Uwith ductless indoor unit TSH09IEI2NAO0T24UTCL1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 64.8Meets 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    77.2score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 90
  3. 3H09SUH25XGCwith ductless indoor unit H09SUH25XGETCL1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 63.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    76.5score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 90

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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