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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%

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. 1D5CPRAH18AAwith ductless indoor unit D5FPHAH18XAKCarrier (sold as Arcoaire)1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 113% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    113% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    15.2 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    96.8score / 100
  2. 237MAHAQ06AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MAHAQ06XA3CarrierAlso sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 110% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    14.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    96.7score / 100
  3. 337MARAQ09AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MBFAQ09XA3CarrierAlso sold as Arcoaire D5CSRAH09AAK1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    89.5score / 100

MRCOOL

  1. 1DIYHH-12-HP-C-230D25-Owith ductless indoor unit DIYCASSETTE12HP-230D25-OMRCOOL1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.11 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    80.4score / 100
  2. 2DIYHH-18-HP-C-230D25-Owith ductless indoor unit DIY-18-HP-WMAH-230D25-OMRCOOL1.5 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
    1.99 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    76.4score / 100
  3. 3O-HH-12-HP-C-230C-Owith ductless indoor unit CASSETTE12HP-230C-OMRCOOLAlso listed as O-ES-12-HP-C-230C-O11 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    1.99 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    76.1score / 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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