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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted up to 1.5 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.

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

AUX

  1. 1ASUM18HPMULOAUX1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 106% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    75.4score / 100
  2. 2ASPR18HPMULOAUX1.5 tons · 17,700 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 78% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    56.8score / 100
  3. 3AHU18HPV1BOwith ducted air handler AHU18HPV1BIAUX1.5 tons · 18,000 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    54.7score / 100

TCL

  1. 1THH18TEI2NAG0F24with ducted air handler THH18IEI2NAG0F24TCLAlso listed as H18TDHXPC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    68.6score / 100
  2. 2TSH09HEI2NAO0T24*with ducted air handler TDH09IEI2NAD24TCL1 ton · 9,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 78% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    59.9score / 100
  3. 3TMH18HEI2NAS0U25*TCLAlso listed as H18FMHD3XPC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 105% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    56.1score / 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.

Open the advanced view