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Carrier vs Trane: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Carrier model beats 48% and a typical Trane model 50%. Trane 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

Trane

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

363 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%Trane: Beats 68%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 34%Trane: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 40%Trane: Beats 36%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 42%Trane: Beats 40%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%Trane: Beats 66%

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%
    Trane
    39%

  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Trane
    26%

  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    1%
    Trane
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Trane
    18%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating 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. 127VNA154A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UICarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 291VAN054**AA4.5 tons · 51,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    102% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    90.4score / 100Heating 82 · Cooling 99
  2. 237MGRAQ48FA3Carrier (sold as Bryant)Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.7score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 94
  3. 327VPA948A*030*with ducted air handler FT5ANBD60LCarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 249VAN048**AA, Arcoaire N5H9V48*K*AAA, Comfortmaker Q5H9V48*K*AAA4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.0score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 91

Trane

  1. 15TWV0X48A1with indoor coil D(A,C,E)60B4J+TDR and furnace L8V1C100U5VSB+LRPTrane3.5 tons · 42,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 93.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    107% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.74 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    88.9score / 100Heating 93 · Cooling 85
  2. 25A6V0X48A1with indoor coil DH60T4J and furnace S8V2D120M5PCBTrane (sold as American Standard)3.5 tons · 44,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    86.0score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 92
  3. 35TCV0X61A1with ducted air handler 5TEMCD07BV51+TDRTraneAlso sold as American Standard 5A5V0X61A14 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 88.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.22 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    79.3score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 70

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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