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Carrier vs Lennox heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Lennox scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Carrier has 701 outdoor models, Lennox has 313 outdoor models. They share hardware: 10 equipment families appear under both names.

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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.
Carrier and Lennox 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, Lennox scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • Carrier
  • Lennox
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CarrierLennox

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCarrierLennox
Efficiency index47%median — · 23rd ranked56%median — · 13th ranked
COP at 5°F58%median 2.00 · 8th ranked58%median 2.00 · 10th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F32%median 53% · 27th ranked48%median 67% · 19th ranked
HSPF238%median 7.7 · 21st ranked49%median 8.5 · 17th ranked
SEER245%median 15.5 · 20th ranked49%median 17.0 · 17th ranked
EER259% (higher)median 11.5 · 6th ranked54% (higher)median 11.6 · 14th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F35%median 18,300 Btu/h · 27th ranked48%median 18,560 Btu/h · 18th ranked
Outdoor models701313
AHRI certifications367,10175,630

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCarrierLennox
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)28.5%200 models46%144 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)25.5%179 models45%141 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)2%14 models1%3 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)17.1%120 models29.4%92 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge2%14 models1%3 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate8.8%62 models19.8%62 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 · 10 groups where both have models
  • Carrier
  • Lennox
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.1032 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 typeCarrierLennox
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons34 · index 48%31 · index 60%
Ducted, 2 tons100 · index 47%35 · index 58%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons195 · index 47%72 · index 55%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons256 · index 43%86 · index 57%
Ducted, 5 tons and up67 · index 60%13 · index 45%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons42 · index 55%66 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 2 tons9 · index 53%22 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons31 · index 52%37 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons17 · index 48%16 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 86%1 · index 36%

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 typeCarrierCold-climate score, best modelLennoxCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons81.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ18AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDAQ18XH3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH18AAK21 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 21113291877.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPC009S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB009S4-*PAlso sold as AirEase 4DHPS209S-1P21 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 211034423
Ducted, 2 tons95.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MURAQ24AB3*with indoor coil H,PG7J936 and furnace 927TA48060V1735 of 99 models qualify · AHRI 21676197381.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPC024S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB024S4-*PAlso sold as AirEase 4DHP2S24S-1P17 of 34 models qualify · AHRI 211034426
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons96.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MURAQ36AB3*with indoor coil H,PG48936 and furnace 927TA60080V2143 of 197 models qualify · AHRI 21676198883.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MLB036S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB036S4-2PAlso listed as MLB036S4S-2P23 of 74 models qualify · AHRI 205782160
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons87.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*26 of 256 models qualify · AHRI 21335025488.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MLB048S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB048S4-2P18 of 85 models qualify · AHRI 205782161
Ducted, 5 tons and up91.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 67 models qualify · AHRI 213350251None on this board (0 of 13 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKAlso sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA324 of 42 models qualify · AHRI 20782664490.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPC009S4S-1Pwith ductless indoor unit MWMC006S4-2P34 of 66 models qualify · AHRI 213199199
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)38MARBQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 40MBCAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH24AAK5 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 20768329286.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MLB024S4S-1Pwith ductless indoor unit M33C024S4-1PAlso sold as Comfort-Aire A-VMH24SV-114 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 207683534
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*7 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 21335025590.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH36QV-1A12 of 37 models qualify · AHRI 214377756
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*11 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 21335025081.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MLB048S4S-2Pwith ductless indoor unit M33C048S4-*P8 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 211034460
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up89.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213350252None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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 typeCarrierAll-around score, best modelLennoxAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)38MARBQ09AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDQ09---3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH09AAK32 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20635032885.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MLB009S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB009S4-2P30 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207683524
Ducted, 2 tons88.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA424A*031*with indoor coil CAP**3721AL*+UI and furnace 58TN*A090C17**16Also sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV024*0**B90 of 92 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21053300884.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)EL22XPV-024-230A**with ducted air handler CBK47UHET-030-230-0Also sold as Armstrong Air 4SHP22LX124P-**A29 of 35 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214861258
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons91.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0367HS-UL162 of 203 models have all five ratings · AHRI 1004987883.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)A-VMH36QV-1A47 of 69 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214377757
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons92.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA448A*031*with ducted air handler FE4BNBD60L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV048*0**B201 of 253 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21336159187.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SL25XPV-048-230A**with ducted air handler CBA38MV-048-230*+TDR49 of 84 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207436541
Ducted, 5 tons and up91.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA460A*031*with ducted air handler FE4BNBD60L*+UI40 of 71 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21336159368.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)4HP17L60P-**Awith ducted air handler L(E,G)M60H412 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212431768
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKAlso sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA342 of 42 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782664492.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPC009S4S-1Pwith ductless indoor unit MWMC006S4-2P59 of 66 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213199199
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)38MARBQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 40MAHBQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH24AAK9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20634813884.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MLB024S4S-1Pwith ductless indoor unit MWMC024S4-1PAlso sold as Comfort-Aire A-VMH24SV-1, Comfort-Aire A-VMH24SU-1, Comfort-Aire A-KMH24SU-120 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207683523
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons90.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-SP302AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-SM302UTP-UL27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20844732486.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)A-VMH36QV-1A27 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214377756
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons87.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21335025077.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MLB048S4M-2PAlso sold as Comfort-Aire A-VMH48PV-1, Allied 4DHP2S48M-1P11 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207699107
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up85.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21335025236.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMV-60WL/C-T(U)1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214728288

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
RatingCarrierLennox
COP at 5°Fbeats 100% · 2.70MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 100% · 3.194HP18V36PDucted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 160%WDLCURAH18ABKDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 147%4HP17L18P-**ADucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 100% · 15.038MPRBQ09AA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCPRBH09AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 10.3MLB048S4S-1PDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 100% · 23.1MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*Non-ducted, 5 tons and upbeats 100% · 21.8SL25XPV-048-230A**Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 100% · 13.5T4H5S42*K*AAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 15.0SL25XPV-024-230A**Ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 96,220 Btu/h38MURAQ60AB3*Also sold as Grandaire WDLCURAH60ABKDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 42,926 Btu/hMLB036S4S-2PNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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