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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 47% and a typical MRCOOL model 54%. MRCOOL rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

Carrier

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

701 models listed

MRCOOL

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

111 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 58%MRCOOL: Beats 49%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 32%MRCOOL: Beats 41%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 38%MRCOOL: Beats 51%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 45%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%MRCOOL: Beats 56%

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
    29%
    MRCOOL
    47%

  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    17%
    MRCOOL
    25%

  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    2%
    MRCOOL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    9%
    MRCOOL
    23%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 1DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKCarrier (sold as Arcoaire)Also sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA31.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 120% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    120% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    95.0score / 100
  2. 238MARBQ06AA3with ductless indoor unit DHMAHBQ06XA3Carrier (sold as Payne)Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH06AAK0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 107% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    107% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    89.3score / 100
  3. 3RAV-SP182AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-SM182UTP-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.45 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    79.0score / 100

MRCOOL

  1. 1O-ES-09-HP-C-230Bwith ductless indoor unit O-09-HP-WMAH-230BMRCOOL1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.19 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.0score / 100
  2. 2O-HH-09-HP-C-230Awith ductless indoor unit O-09-HP-WMAH-230BMRCOOLAlso listed as O-HH-09-HP-C-230B1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 88% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    76.2score / 100
  3. 3O-HH-18-HP-C-230Awith ductless indoor unit O-18-HP-WMAH-230BMRCOOLAlso listed as O-HH-18-HP-C-230B1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    67.2score / 100

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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