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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 50% and a typical Pioneer model 47%. Century rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Century

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

59 models listed

Pioneer

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

46 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 50%Pioneer: Beats 41%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCentury: Beats 49%Pioneer: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Century: Beats 52%Pioneer: Beats 56%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Century: Beats 45%Pioneer: Beats 56%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Century: Beats 53%Pioneer: 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

    Century
    44%
    Pioneer
    74%

  • Xcel CC

    Century
    41%
    Pioneer
    70%

  • CEE Advanced

    Century
    3%
    Pioneer
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Century
    32%
    Pioneer
    54%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 2.5–3 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.

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

Century

  1. 1A-VHP365A-1Century3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.0score / 100
  2. 2A-VHP284A-1Century2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    72.9score / 100
  3. 3A-VHP33SA-1with ductless indoor unit B-VHP33SA-1Century3 tons · 33,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 97% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.98 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    61.3score / 100

Pioneer

  1. 1YN036GMSI20RUGwith ductless indoor unit CB036GMSILDFHGPioneer3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    62.8score / 100
  2. 2YN030GLSI24M3GPioneer2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    57.5score / 100
  3. 3YN040GLSI24M4GPioneer3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    52.5score / 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