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 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Carrier	Pioneer
Efficiency index	48% (higher)median — · 23rd ranked	47% (higher)median — · 25th ranked
COP at 5°F	56% (higher)median 2.04 · 16th ranked	41% (higher)median 1.88 · 27th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	34%median 53% · 28th ranked	43%median 73% · 23rd ranked
HSPF2	40%median 7.8 · 25th ranked	56%median 9.5 · 12th ranked
SEER2	42%median 15.2 · 23rd ranked	56%median 20.0 · 13th ranked
EER2	59% (higher)median 11.5 · 8th ranked	40% (higher)median 11.2 · 24th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	37%median 18,600 Btu/h · 27th ranked	45%median 12,800 Btu/h · 23rd ranked
Outdoor models	816	46
AHRI certifications	521,403	69

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)	40.2%328 models	73.9%34 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	35.3%288 models	73.9%34 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1%8 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	27.2%222 models	69.6%32 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1%8 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	26.7%218 models	54.3%25 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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Carrier	Pioneer
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	69 · index 56%	4 · index 58%
Ducted, 2 tons	93 · index 47%	2 · index 68%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	228 · index 45%	4 · index 59%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	306 · index 44%	4 · index 59%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	68 · index 50%	1 · index 71%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	54 · index 59%	26 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	16 · index 57%	5 · index 36%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	30 · index 55%	8 · index 32%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	22 · index 47%	3 · index 38%
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	PioneerCold-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	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GLSI24RPG4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217048762
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	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD2436GCSI18RDwith ducted air handler DC024GCSICDHRT2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217048497
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	49.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217048773
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	67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMSI20RUGwith ducted air handler RB048GMSILDFHG4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218010994
Ducted, 5 tons and up	94.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL19 of 80 models qualify · AHRI 216763249	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRD-60HWD1N10-M18G1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216684003
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	78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN018GMSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit FB018GMSILDFHG21 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 218010990
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	58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GLSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit CT024GLSILCFHG2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217048761
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	62.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN036GMSI20RUGwith ductless indoor unit CB036GMSILDFHG3 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218010991
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	55.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMSI20RUGwith ductless indoor unit CB048GMSILDFHG3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218010992
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	PioneerAll-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	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN020GLSI24M2G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048772
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	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD2436GCSI18RDwith ducted air handler DC024GCSICDHRT2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048497
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	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048773
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	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN050GLSI24M5G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048775
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	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRD-60HWD1N10-M18G1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216684003
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	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GLSI25RPHwith ductless indoor unit WT009GLSI25HLH26 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048754
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	56.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GLSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit CT024GLSILCFHG5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048761
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	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048769
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	42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN050GLSI24M5G3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048771
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	Pioneer
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 2.50MCY-MUB0488HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 2.51YN012GMSI24RPGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 150%37MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 92% · 106%YN009GLSI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 100% · 15.637MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 13.5YN018GMSI24RPGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 35.137MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 22.0YN030GLSI24M3GDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 17.2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 93% · 13.3YD2436GCSI18RDDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 61,000 Btu/hH5H0V60KAAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 90% · 17,800 Btu/hYN018GLSI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers

Carrier vs Pioneer heat pumps