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Carrier vs Rheem: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Carrier model beats 48% and a typical Rheem model 49%. Rheem 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

Rheem

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

341 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%Rheem: Beats 59%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 34%Rheem: Beats 48%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 40%Rheem: Beats 43%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 42%Rheem: Beats 42%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%Rheem: Beats 40%

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%
    Rheem
    36%

  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Rheem
    34%

  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    1%
    Rheem
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Rheem
    33%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 1RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ducted air handler RAV-HB301BTP-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    88.0score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 95
  2. 2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.28 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.1 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.8 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    87.5score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 97
  3. 337MGHAQ30EA3Carrier (sold as Bryant)Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMHAH30EAK2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    116% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.5score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 93

Rheem

  1. 1RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M36FJRheem2.5 tons · 30,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 94.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    109% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    92.7score / 100Heating 94 · Cooling 91
  2. 2ML36HP230MULH-ORheem (sold as Mainline)Also listed as ML36HP230MULH-O3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  3. 3RP19AY36AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY3621MEAAM and furnace R97MV0603A17DHRheemAlso sold as RUUD UP19AY36AJVC, SURE SP19AY36AJVC3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.2score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 89

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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