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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 5 tons and up

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

Showing Ducted, 5 tons and up (57,000 Btu/h and up cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 127VNA360A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UICarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN060**AA, HEIL B5H3V60*K*AAA5 tons · 58,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.18 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    89.1score / 100Heating 82 · Cooling 96
  2. 2H5H3V60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCONCarrier (sold as HEIL)Also sold as Comfortmaker C5H3V60*K*AAA, Kenmore (C,H,T)5H3V60*K*AAA, Tempstar T5H3V60*K*AAA5 tons · 58,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.06 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.9score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 96
  3. 327VPA960A*030*with ducted air handler FT5ANBD60LCarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 249VAN060**AA, Arcoaire N5H9V60*K*AAA, Arcoaire Q5H9V60*K*AAA5 tons · 57,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.12 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.6score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 81

Rheem

  1. 1RP17AY60AJVCwith ducted air handler RH2TY6024STANNRheemAlso sold as SURE SP17AY60AJVC5 tons · 57,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Good
    70.4score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 63
  2. 2ML60HP230LCM-Owith ducted air handler ML60HP230HSDUC-IRheem (sold as Mainline)5 tons · 58,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    65.3score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 48
  3. 3ML55HP230MUL-ORheem (sold as Mainline)Also listed as ML55HP230MUL-O5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    62.5score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 54

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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