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

Carrier
Trane
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Carrier	Trane
Efficiency index	47%median — · 23rd ranked	52%median — · 18th ranked
COP at 5°F	58%median 2.00 · 8th ranked	69%median 2.18 · 3rd ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	32%median 53% · 27th ranked	43%median 63% · 22nd ranked
HSPF2	38% (higher)median 7.7 · 21st ranked	35% (higher)median 7.8 · 25th ranked
SEER2	45% (higher)median 15.5 · 20th ranked	36% (higher)median 15.2 · 25th ranked
EER2	59%median 11.5 · 6th ranked	65%median 11.7 · 4th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	35%median 18,300 Btu/h · 27th ranked	41%median 20,000 Btu/h · 23rd ranked
Outdoor models	701	309
AHRI certifications	367,101	102,516

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Carrier	Trane
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	28.5%200 models	31.4%97 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	25.5%179 models	26.2%81 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	2%14 models	0.3%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	17.1%120 models	22%68 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	2%14 models	0.3%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	8.8%62 models	10%31 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
Trane
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	Trane
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	34 · index 48%	25 · index 35%
Ducted, 2 tons	100 · index 47%	53 · index 50%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	195 · index 47%	86 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	256 · index 43%	108 · index 60%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	67 · index 60%	7 · index 46%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	42 · index 55%	23 · index 38%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	9 · index 53%	7 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	31 · index 52%	10 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	17 · index 48%	1 · index 19%
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	TraneCold-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	62.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)4A6H4018N1with ducted air handler AE(D,N,U)+CM30B34+TDR12 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 212361095
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	75.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXD2036A10NU*with ducted air handler F,PEG3493022 of 55 models qualify · AHRI 212396569
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	82.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TWV0X36A1with indoor coil D(A,C,E)48C34+TDR and furnace S9V2C080U5PSC+RP32 of 87 models qualify · AHRI 215472282
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	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)4A6C7048A3with ducted air handler 4PX*DU60BS3+P0V0C000M50SCAlso listed as 4A6C7048A417 of 108 models qualify · AHRI 213867310
Ducted, 5 tons and up	91.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 67 models qualify · AHRI 213350251	None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)
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	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXK3809B10NU**with ductless indoor unit 4MXW3809B10NU16 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 204340354
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	76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXM2124A13N0**4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 210435406
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	73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXM2142A15N0**7 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 210435409
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	31.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXM2336A15NU**1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 206319651
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	TraneAll-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	52.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TWR5018N1with indoor coil D(A,C,E)30A34+TDR and furnace *UD2B060A9V3Also sold as American Standard 4A6H5018N120 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212367293
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	77.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TWV8X24A1with indoor coil D(A,C,E)36C34+TDR and furnace S9V2B060U4PSB+RP42 of 52 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215472297
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	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TWV0X36A1with indoor coil D(A,C,E)48C34+TDR and furnace S9V2C080U5PSC+RP69 of 83 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215472282
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	86.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)4A6C7048A3with ducted air handler 4PX*DU60BS3+P0V0C000M50SCAlso listed as 4A6C7048A490 of 114 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213867310
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	81.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TWL9060A1with indoor coil TEM8B0C60V51+TDR and furnace N/AAlso sold as American Standard 4A6L9060A16 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207820927
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	88.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXK3809B10NU**with ductless indoor unit 4MXW3809B10NU21 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204340354
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	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXM2124A13N0**5 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210435406
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	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXM2142A15N0**7 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210435409
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	18.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)4TXM2336A15NU**1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206319651
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	Trane
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 2.70MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 3.604A6C7048A3Also listed as 4A6C7048A4Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 160%WDLCURAH18ABKDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 120%4A6H4042N1Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 100% · 15.038MPRBQ09AA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCPRBH09AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 88% · 11.04TXK3809B10NU**Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 23.1MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 99% · 19.04TWL9060A1Also sold as American Standard 4A6L9060A1Ducted, 5 tons and up
EER2	beats 100% · 13.5T4H5S42KAAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 16.64TXK3809B10NU**Non-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 100% · 34,000 Btu/hE4HL5018A1000ADucted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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Carrier vs Trane heat pumps