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Carrier vs Pioneer: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Carrier model beats 47% and a typical Pioneer model 52%. Pioneer rates slightly 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

Pioneer

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

61 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%Pioneer: Beats 47%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 32%Pioneer: Beats 41%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 38%Pioneer: Beats 52%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 45%Pioneer: Beats 56%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%Pioneer: Beats 43%

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%
    Pioneer
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    17%
    Pioneer
    46%

  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    2%
    Pioneer
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    9%
    Pioneer
    28%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 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 Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 1MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*Carrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.50 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    87.7score / 100
  2. 225VNA448A*031*with indoor coil CAP**6024AL*+UI and furnace 59TN6C080C21**20CarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV048*0**B3.5 tons · 44,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.36 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.2score / 100
  3. 3HVH860GKA2*with ducted air handler AE(D,N,U)+CM60A34+TDRCarrier (sold as HEIL)4.5 tons · 56,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 75% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.72 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    76.6score / 100

Pioneer

  1. 1YD060GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC060GMFI20HT2Pioneer4.5 tons · 52,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.02 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    75.8score / 100
  2. 2YH4248GHFD18R2with ducted air handler DR048GHFD18HT2Pioneer4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    56.6score / 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.

Open the advanced view