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Bestcold vs TGM: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Bestcold model beats 46% and a typical TGM model 45%. Bestcold rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Bestcold

46%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

79 models listed

TGM

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

77 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°FBestcold: Beats 45%TGM: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBestcold: Beats 43%TGM: Beats 42%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Bestcold: Beats 48%TGM: Beats 41%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Bestcold: Beats 51%TGM: Beats 45%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Bestcold: Beats 39%TGM: Beats 42%

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

    Bestcold
    68%
    TGM
    58%

  • Xcel CC

    Bestcold
    66%
    TGM
    55%

  • CEE Advanced

    Bestcold
    1%
    TGM
    1%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Bestcold
    10%
    TGM
    21%

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?

Bestcold

None of Bestcold’s ducted, up to 1.5 tons models has all five ratings.

TGM

  1. 1MRS5VHT18ASwith ducted air handler MFC5VHT18STGM1.5 tons · 17,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.41 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.3 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    78.4score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 87
  2. 2TMRHT18AS2TGM1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 44.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel 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
    60.2score / 100Heating 44 · Cooling 76
  3. 3GMRSHT18AS2TGM1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 39.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    48.6score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 58

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