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Century vs Pioneer: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Century model beats 54% and a typical Pioneer model 52%. Century rates slightly higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

Century

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

63 models listed

Pioneer

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

61 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°FCentury: Beats 57%Pioneer: Beats 47%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCentury: Beats 52%Pioneer: Beats 41%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Century: Beats 44%Pioneer: Beats 52%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Century: Beats 40%Pioneer: Beats 56%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Century: Beats 53%Pioneer: Beats 43%

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

    Century
    44%
    Pioneer
    67%
  • Xcel CC

    Century
    27%
    Pioneer
    46%
  • CEE Advanced

    Century
    0%
    Pioneer
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Century
    30%
    Pioneer
    28%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Century

  1. 1A-VCD18SA-1with ducted air handler MCD18/24B1ACentury1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 79% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    63.7score / 100
  2. 2A-VMH18DV-1Century1.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.83 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.3 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    50.4score / 100

Pioneer

  1. 1YN009GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB009GMFILDFHDPioneer1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    70.4score / 100
  2. 2YN012GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB012GMFILDFHDPioneer1 ton · 11,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.26 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Great
    67.8score / 100
  3. 3YN020GMFI22M2EPioneer1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    52.0score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view