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AUX vs TCL heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, TCL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AUX has 189 outdoor models, TCL has 192 outdoor models. TCL has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
AUX and TCL on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, TCL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • AUX
  • TCL
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AUXTCL

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAUXTCL
Efficiency index49%median — · 21st ranked50%median —
COP at 5°F60% (higher)median 2.00 · 7th ranked36% (higher)median 1.89
Capacity retention at 5°F51%median 75% · 15th ranked52%median 75%
HSPF240%median 9.0 · 25th ranked53%median 9.5
SEER248%median 20.0 · 18th ranked59%median 20.0
EER239%median 11.0 · 27th ranked41%median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F49%median 9,600 Btu/h · 17th ranked52%median 17,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models189192
AHRI certifications223701

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAUXTCL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)68.3%129 models75%144 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)66.1%125 models75%144 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.1%2 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)65.6%124 models71.9%138 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.1%2 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate34.9%66 models62.5%120 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 8 groups where both have models
  • AUX
  • TCL
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,902 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,132 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.002,029 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,290 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.943,990 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00987 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,210 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00591 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeAUXTCL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons6 · index 60%11 · index 60%
Ducted, 2 tons4 · index 59%12 · index 49%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons9 · index 63%21 · index 58%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons5 · index 61%22 · index 50%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons120 · index 46%95 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2 tons33 · index 52%20 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons22 · index 46%29 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 73%12 · index 46%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeAUXCold-climate score, best modelTCLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM18HPMULO6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21603243768.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH18TEI2NAG0F24with ducted air handler THH18IEI2NAG0F24Also listed as H18TDHXPC11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 218083091
Ducted, 2 tons62.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASUM24HPMULO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21603243869.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H24TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H24FAHUDE11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218332483
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASPR30HPMULO6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 21603240067.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH30TEI2NAG0F24with ducted air handler THH30IEI2NAG0F24Also listed as H30TDHXPC19 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 218082877
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons77.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM42HPMULO5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21603244069.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)H48SDH20XQCwith ducted air handler H48APH20UDEAlso listed as THH48HDI2NAJ0H2622 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218453819
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons83.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM2-H18/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM18HPMULO80 of 120 models qualify · AHRI 21409794072.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U2571 of 95 models qualify · AHRI 218028413
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM3-H24/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM24HPMULO16 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 21409794362.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSH24HDI2NAN0T26with ductless indoor unit TSH24IDI2NAN0T26Also listed as H24SBH23XQC12 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 218082864
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO18 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 21409794168.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U2519 of 28 models qualify · AHRI 218028414
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons60.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM42HPMULO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21605094248.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH48HEI2NAS0U2511 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218028416

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeAUXAll-around score, best modelTCLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons79.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM18HPMULO6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603243773.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25*Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218625046
Ducted, 2 tons78.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM24HPMULO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603243870.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24SDH20XQCwith ducted air handler H24APH20UDEAlso listed as THH24HDI2NAJ0H2614 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218453815
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons81.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM36HPMULO9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603243980.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25*Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218625047
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons87.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM42HPMULO5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603244066.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH42HDI2NAO0U25Also listed as TMH42HDI2NAO0U2522 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218467786
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons84.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2with ductless indoor unit ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2Also listed as ASW-H18E3B2/**R3DI-D2102 of 120 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21521892883.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U2585 of 96 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028413
Non-ducted, 2 tons87.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASW-H24F6A2/ *R3DI-D7with ductless indoor unit ASW-H24F6A2/ *R3DI-D7Also listed as ASW-H24F6A2/**R3DI-D729 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21711527466.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSH24HDI2NAN0T26with ductless indoor unit TSH24IDI2NAN0T26Also listed as H24SBH23XQC18 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218082864
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULO18 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21409794183.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U2528 of 29 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028414
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons74.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASUM42HPMULO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21605094270.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH48HEI2NAS0U2512 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028416

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingAUXTCL
COP at 5°Fbeats 100% · 2.52AFEB09HP115V1CONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 87% · 2.25TSH24HDI2NAL0B25Also listed as H24SVH20XQCNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 108%AM3-H24/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM24HPMULONon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 99% · 125%H24TDHXPCDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 96% · 11.0AM4-H36/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM36HPMULONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 10.5TMH36HEI2NAM5U24Also listed as H36FMH21XPCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 100% · 22.0ASUM42HPMULODucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 22.0TMH27HEI2NAS0U25*Also listed as H27FMHD4XPCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 97% · 14.0AMAR24HP230V1CONon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 97% · 14.0TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 99% · 21,800 Btu/hAM2-H18/2DR3BAlso listed as ASUM18HPMULONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 30,000 Btu/hH24TDHXPCDucted, 2 tons

In the cold

NEEP cold-climate listings of both manufacturers against all listed models.
AUX vs TCL: capacity and COP from 47°F downNEEP cold-climate listings at maximum capacity · 6,130 models (45.8% of the catalog) have ratings at 47, 17 and 5°F
  • All listed models (median, middle 50% and 80%)
  • AUX (median, middle 50%)
  • TCL (median, middle 50%)
Heating capacity, % of its 47°F maximum70%70%COP at maximum capacity2.001.90

One curve per model: its NEEP-rated certification with the best 5°F COP. Every point of a curve is over the same models. NEEP lists only models submitted to it, so this is a cold-climate-leaning subset, not the whole catalog.
Show the data as a table
All listed models: capacity, % of its 47°F maximum
Scope, temperatureModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
All rated models, 47°F6,130100%100%100%100%100%
All rated models, 17°F6,13064%69%74%83%91%
All rated models, 5°F6,13057%61%69%77%83%
All listed models: COP at maximum capacity
Scope, temperatureModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
All rated models, 47°F6,1302.83.013.243.483.66
All rated models, 17°F6,13022.142.32.422.61
All rated models, 5°F6,1301.81.8722.12.24
AUX: capacity, % of its 47°F maximum
Scope, temperatureModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
AUX, 47°F65100%100%100%100%100%
AUX, 17°F6567%70%73%79%85%
AUX, 5°F6562%65%70%73%83%
AUX: COP at maximum capacity
Scope, temperatureModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
AUX, 47°F652.933.183.33.523.72
AUX, 17°F652.12.172.282.342.45
AUX, 5°F651.89222.12.18
TCL: capacity, % of its 47°F maximum
Scope, temperatureModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
TCL, 47°F106100%100%100%100%100%
TCL, 17°F10667%72%75%82%92%
TCL, 5°F10658%65%70%72%77%
TCL: COP at maximum capacity
Scope, temperatureModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
TCL, 47°F1062.492.83.083.53.71
TCL, 17°F10622.092.22.32.47
TCL, 5°F1061.81.81.922.03

Source: NEEP ccASHP list · as of

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