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 Pioneer 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, Pioneer scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Carrier
Pioneer
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Carrier	Pioneer
Efficiency index	47%median — · 23rd ranked	52%median — · 19th ranked
COP at 5°F	58% (higher)median 2.00 · 8th ranked	47% (higher)median 1.85 · 21st ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	32%median 53% · 27th ranked	41%median 67% · 23rd ranked
HSPF2	38%median 7.7 · 21st ranked	52%median 9.0 · 14th ranked
SEER2	45%median 15.5 · 20th ranked	56%median 19.0 · 11th ranked
EER2	59% (higher)median 11.5 · 6th ranked	43% (higher)median 11.0 · 24th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	35%median 18,300 Btu/h · 27th ranked	43%median 14,400 Btu/h · 22nd ranked
Outdoor models	701	61
AHRI certifications	367,101	98

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Carrier	Pioneer
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	28.5%200 models	67.2%41 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	25.5%179 models	62.3%38 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	2%14 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	17.1%120 models	45.9%28 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	2%14 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	8.8%62 models	27.9%17 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
Pioneer
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Carrier	Pioneer
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	34 · index 48%	4 · index 69%
Ducted, 2 tons	100 · index 47%	2 · index 65%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	195 · index 47%	8 · index 59%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	256 · index 43%	6 · index 58%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	67 · index 60%	1 · index 75%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	42 · index 55%	31 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	9 · index 53%	7 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	31 · index 52%	11 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	17 · index 48%	3 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 86%	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	PioneerCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	81.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ18AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDAQ18XH3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH18AAK21 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 211132918	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB009GMFILDFHD3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 208141951
Ducted, 2 tons	95.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MURAQ24AB3*with indoor coil H,PG7J936 and furnace 927TA48060V1735 of 99 models qualify · AHRI 216761973	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB024GMFILDFHD2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 208141954
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	96.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MURAQ36AB3*with indoor coil H,PG48936 and furnace 927TA60080V2143 of 197 models qualify · AHRI 216761988	75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YH3036GHFD18R2with ducted air handler DR036GHFD18HT23 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 207028595
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*26 of 256 models qualify · AHRI 213350254	75.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD060GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC060GMFI20HT22 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 205301886
Ducted, 5 tons and up	91.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 67 models qualify · AHRI 213350251	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRB-60HWD1N1-M191 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212527998
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKAlso sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA324 of 42 models qualify · AHRI 207826644	84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit CK009GMFILCFHD16 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 213349746
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 40MBCAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH24AAK5 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 207683292	74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit UB024GMFILCFHD3 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 208141957
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*7 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 213350255	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GMFI22M3E1 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 208121964
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*11 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 213350250	56.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMFI18RUEwith ductless indoor unit UB048GMFILCFHD1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 208121960
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	89.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213350252	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	PioneerAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ09AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDQ09---3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH09AAK32 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206350328	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN018GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB018GMFILDFHD4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141953
Ducted, 2 tons	88.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA424A031with indoor coil CAP*3721AL+UI and furnace 58TNA090C1716Also sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV0240**B90 of 92 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210533008	83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB024GMFILDFHD2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141954
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	91.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0367HS-UL162 of 203 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10049878	76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD036GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC036GMFI20HT27 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205301885
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	92.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA448A031with ducted air handler FE4BNBD60L+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV0480**B201 of 253 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213361591	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD060GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC060GMFI20HT25 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205301886
Ducted, 5 tons and up	91.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA460A031with ducted air handler FE4BNBD60L*+UI40 of 71 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213361593	75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRB-60HWD1N1-M191 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212527998
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKAlso sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA342 of 42 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207826644	81.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GHFI25RPHwith ductless indoor unit WF009GHFI25HLH27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211583711
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 40MAHBQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH24AAK9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206348138	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit UB024GMFILCFHD6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141957
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	90.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-SP302AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-SM302UTP-UL27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208447324	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GMFI22M3E8 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208121964
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213350250	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN050GMFI22M5E2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208121970
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	85.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213350252	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	Pioneer
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 2.70MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 96% · 2.38YN018GMFI22RPENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 160%WDLCURAH18ABKDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 92% · 70%PRB-60HWD1N1-M19Ducted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2	beats 100% · 15.038MPRBQ09AA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCPRBH09AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 11.2YN024GMFI22RPEDucted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 23.1MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 98% · 21.0YN030GMFI22M3EDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 13.5T4H5S42KAAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 89% · 14.5YN009GHFI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 96,220 Btu/h38MURAQ60AB3*Also sold as Grandaire WDLCURAH60ABKDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 91% · 40,000 Btu/hPRB-60HWD1N1-M19Ducted, 5 tons and up

More comparisons

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Carrier vs Pioneer heat pumps