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Carrier vs MRCOOL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Carrier model beats 48% and a typical MRCOOL model 53%. MRCOOL rates slightly higher overall.

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

Carrier

48%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

816 models listed

MRCOOL

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

92 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°FCarrier: Beats 56%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 34%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 40%MRCOOL: Beats 56%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 42%MRCOOL: Beats 54%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%MRCOOL: Beats 49%

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

    Carrier
    40%
    MRCOOL
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    27%
    MRCOOL
    58%

  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    1%
    MRCOOL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    27%
    MRCOOL
    57%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 1MCY-MUB0488HS2P-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 70.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.50 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    24.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    84.9score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 99
  2. 237MGHAQ48FA3Carrier (sold as Bryant)Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMHAH48FAK4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 75.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    76.7score / 100Heating 74 · Cooling 79
  3. 3RAV-BP421AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB421UTP-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 79.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.2 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    22.6 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    75.6score / 100Heating 75 · Cooling 76

MRCOOL

  1. 1MULTI6-48HP230C-OMRCOOL4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 56.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.2 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    68.6score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 81
  2. 2DIY-MULTI6-55HP230D-OMRCOOL4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 54.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    84% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    62.9score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 71
  3. 3DIY-MULTI6-48HP230D-OMRCOOL3.5 tons · 43,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 45.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.8 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    52.8score / 100Heating 37 · Cooling 69

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.

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