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 Nortek Global HVAC 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, Carrier scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

Carrier
Nortek Global HVAC
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Carrier	Nortek Global HVAC
Efficiency index	48% (higher)median — · 23rd ranked	31% (higher)median — · 29th ranked
COP at 5°F	56% (higher)median 2.04 · 16th ranked	23% (higher)median 1.75 · 29th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	34% (higher)median 53% · 28th ranked	28% (higher)median 49% · 29th ranked
HSPF2	40% (higher)median 7.8 · 25th ranked	28% (higher)median 7.5 · 29th ranked
SEER2	42% (higher)median 15.2 · 23rd ranked	32% (higher)median 14.3 · 29th ranked
EER2	59% (higher)median 11.5 · 8th ranked	42% (higher)median 11.0 · 22nd ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	37% (higher)median 18,600 Btu/h · 27th ranked	28% (higher)median 16,200 Btu/h · 29th ranked
Outdoor models	816	109
AHRI certifications	521,403	781

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Carrier	Nortek Global HVAC
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	40.2%328 models	28.4%31 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	35.3%288 models	24.8%27 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1%8 models	1.8%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	27.2%222 models	20.2%22 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1%8 models	1.8%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	26.7%218 models	11%12 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 · 9 groups where both have models

Carrier
Nortek Global HVAC
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Carrier	Nortek Global HVAC
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	69 · index 56%	6 · index 25%
Ducted, 2 tons	93 · index 47%	15 · index 25%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	228 · index 45%	28 · index 25%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	306 · index 44%	38 · index 30%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	68 · index 50%	4 · index 18%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	54 · index 59%	12 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	16 · index 57%	4 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	30 · index 55%	6 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	22 · index 47%	1 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	4 · index 57%	None

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 type	CarrierCold-climate score, best model	Nortek Global HVACCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK30 of 68 models qualify · AHRI 215323798	39.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746315
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ24AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ24XH3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK44 of 94 models qualify · AHRI 215323817	49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH1 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 215746317
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MGHAQ36EA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK59 of 229 models qualify · AHRI 215357119	76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD36MSK3IH3 of 29 models qualify · AHRI 217138207
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	89.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H5H0V48KAAAwith indoor coil D(A,C,E)61A3J+TDR and furnace 80CSU0802120A63 of 293 models qualify · AHRI 218372714	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD60MSK3IH2 of 38 models qualify · AHRI 217138209
Ducted, 5 tons and up	94.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL19 of 80 models qualify · AHRI 216763249	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)D5CPRAH18AAwith ductless indoor unit D5FPHAH18XAK35 of 54 models qualify · AHRI 215413214	66.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)WHS18SZB21Swith ductless indoor unit WHS18WMB21S10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217101981
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MBCAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK15 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 215323815	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215746311
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MBHAQ36AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MCFAQ36XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CLHAH36AAK21 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 215323843	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH36FMK3IH5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746313
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-BP421AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB421CTP-UL18 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 216415472	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215746314
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	50.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)37VMB060HDS3-11 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216369714	No models in this size class

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 type	CarrierAll-around score, best model	Nortek Global HVACAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.6(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 215323798	48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746315
Ducted, 2 tons	82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27VNA324A030with ducted air handler FE5BN(B,X)C36L+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN024AA, HEIL B5H3V24K*AAA90 of 90 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217624252	72.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD24MSK3IH15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138206
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	88.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ducted air handler RAV-HB301BTP-UL209 of 230 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216415477	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH25 of 28 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746318
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	90.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27VNA154A030with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 291VAN054*AA241 of 275 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215587917	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IH35 of 38 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138208
Ducted, 5 tons and up	89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27VNA360A030with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN060AA, HEIL B5H3V60K*AAA81 of 101 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215931484	17.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RHPXYB060AJT1 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217469149
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.5(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 215323742	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IH12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011767
Non-ducted, 2 tons	88.5(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 215323752	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH24PUK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011771
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	91.0(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 216415465	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746312
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MUB0488HS2P-UL20 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760288	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746314
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216763251	No models in this size class

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
Rating	Carrier	Nortek Global HVAC
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 2.50MCY-MUB0488HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 2.53WHS18SZB21SNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 150%37MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 114%UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 100% · 15.637MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 90% · 10.5UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 35.137MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 26.0DXH24PSK3IHNon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 17.2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 94% · 13.0DXH42FMK3IHNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 61,000 Btu/hH5H0V60KAAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hUXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

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Carrier vs Nortek Global HVAC heat pumps