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Carrier vs LG heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, LG scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Carrier has 816 outdoor models, LG has 100 outdoor models.

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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 LG 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, LG scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • Carrier
  • LG
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CarrierLG

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCarrierLG
Efficiency index48%median — · 23rd ranked56%median — · 10th ranked
COP at 5°F56%median 2.04 · 16th ranked56%median 1.96 · 17th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F34%median 53% · 28th ranked57%median 74% · 9th ranked
HSPF240%median 7.8 · 25th ranked51%median 9.0 · 14th ranked
SEER242%median 15.2 · 23rd ranked49%median 20.0 · 17th ranked
EER259%median 11.5 · 8th ranked64%median 12.3 · 4th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F37%median 18,600 Btu/h · 27th ranked61%median 15,550 Btu/h · 7th ranked
Outdoor models816100
AHRI certifications521,4031,179

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCarrierLG
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)40.2%328 models86%86 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)35.3%288 models82%82 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1%8 models11%11 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)27.2%222 models78%78 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1%8 models11%11 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate26.7%218 models64%64 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
  • LG
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 typeCarrierLG
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons69 · index 56%12 · index 54%
Ducted, 2 tons93 · index 47%9 · index 53%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons228 · index 45%11 · index 62%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons306 · index 44%16 · index 66%
Ducted, 5 tons and up68 · index 50%2 · index 81%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons54 · index 59%44 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 2 tons16 · index 57%14 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons30 · index 55%12 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons22 · index 47%10 · index 69%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up4 · index 57%1 · index 85%

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 modelLGCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK30 of 68 models qualify · AHRI 21532379880.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler MSVT24***852FAA10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 217581954
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ24AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ24XH3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK44 of 94 models qualify · AHRI 21532381778.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS010 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 214914956
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)37MGHAQ36EA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK59 of 229 models qualify · AHRI 21535711987.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZRUM036GSS010 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 214914952
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons89.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)H5H0V48*K*AAA*with indoor coil D(A,C,E)61A3J+TDR and furnace *80CSU0802120A63 of 293 models qualify · AHRI 21837271490.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA481A18 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 215408637
Ducted, 5 tons and up94.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL19 of 80 models qualify · AHRI 21676324994.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215402344
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)D5CPRAH18AAwith ductless indoor unit D5FPHAH18XAK35 of 54 models qualify · AHRI 21541321486.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSAL091Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL091A44 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 216368959
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MBCAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK15 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 21532381585.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS07 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 215223214
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)37MBHAQ36AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MCFAQ36XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CLHAH36AAK21 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 21532384393.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA361A12 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215402345
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)RAV-BP421AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB421CTP-UL18 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 21641547295.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA421A8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 215402347
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up50.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)37VMB060HDS3-11 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21636971484.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215408633

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 modelLGAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK64 of 68 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21532379878.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler MSVT24***852FAA10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217581954
Ducted, 2 tons82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27VNA324A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BN(B,X)C36L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN024**AA, HEIL B5H3V24*K*AAA90 of 90 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21762425279.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS08 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214914956
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons88.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ducted air handler RAV-HB301BTP-UL209 of 230 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21641547789.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA361A12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402346
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons90.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)27VNA154A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 291VAN054**AA241 of 275 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21558791791.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA421A18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402348
Ducted, 5 tons and up89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)27VNA360A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN060**AA, HEIL B5H3V60*K*AAA81 of 101 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21593148489.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402344
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MAHAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK51 of 54 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21532374291.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSAL091Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL091A44 of 44 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216368959
Non-ducted, 2 tons88.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MARAQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MAHAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSRAH24AAK15 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21532375277.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS014 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214914954
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons91.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB301UTP-UL29 of 30 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21641546590.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSXA301Awith ductless indoor unit KNSCB301A12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214826535
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MUB0488HS2P-UL20 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21676028889.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA421A9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402347
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21676325185.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZRUM060GSS02 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214914943

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
RatingCarrierLG
COP at 5°Fbeats 100% · 2.50MCY-MUB0488HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 3.17KUSXB181ADucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 150%37MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 137%KUSXA181ADucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 100% · 15.637MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 13.5KUSAL091ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 100% · 35.137MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 23.0ZRUM060GSS0Non-ducted, 5 tons and up
EER2beats 100% · 17.2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 100% · 14.8ZRUN024GSS0Ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 61,000 Btu/hH5H0V60*K*AAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 25,000 Btu/hKUSXA181ADucted, up to 1.5 tons

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