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.

Century and Pioneer 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, Century scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Century
Pioneer
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Century	Pioneer
Efficiency index	54% (higher)median —	52% (higher)median — · 19th ranked
COP at 5°F	57% (higher)median 2.00	47% (higher)median 1.85 · 21st ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	52% (higher)median 65%	41% (higher)median 67% · 23rd ranked
HSPF2	44%median 8.0	52%median 9.0 · 14th ranked
SEER2	40%median 15.6	56%median 19.0 · 11th ranked
EER2	53% (higher)median 11.0	43% (higher)median 11.0 · 24th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	51% (higher)median 19,800 Btu/h	43% (higher)median 14,400 Btu/h · 22nd ranked
Outdoor models	63	61
AHRI certifications	6,901	98

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Century	Pioneer
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	44.4%28 models	67.2%41 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	42.9%27 models	62.3%38 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	27%17 models	45.9%28 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	30.2%19 models	27.9%17 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

Century
Pioneer
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Century	Pioneer
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	6 · index 48%	4 · index 69%
Ducted, 2 tons	6 · index 42%	2 · index 65%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	15 · index 60%	8 · index 59%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	18 · index 58%	6 · index 58%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 19%	1 · index 75%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	10 · index 50%	31 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 49%	7 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	8 · index 63%	11 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 65%	3 · index 44%

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	CenturyCold-climate score, best model	PioneerCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	63.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)A-VCD18SA-1with ducted air handler MCD18/24B1A2 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 212940799	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN009GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB009GMFILDFHD3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 208141951
Ducted, 2 tons	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)A-VCD24SA-1with ducted air handler B-VCD24SA-11 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 212940802	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB024GMFILDFHD2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 208141954
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH36QV-1A5 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 214415109	75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YH3036GHFD18R2with ducted air handler DR036GHFD18HT23 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 207028595
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)A-VMH48PV-14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 214442638	75.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YD060GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC060GMFI20HT22 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 205301886
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRB-60HWD1N1-M191 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212527998
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH06SV-1with ductless indoor unit B-VMH06SV-16 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 212940813	84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit CK009GMFILCFHD16 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 213349746
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH24SV-1with ductless indoor unit B-VMH24SV-11 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212940817	74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit UB024GMFILCFHD3 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 208141957
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	90.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH36QV-1A4 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 214415107	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GMFI22M3E1 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 208121964
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH48PV-12 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 214442637	56.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMFI18RUEwith ductless indoor unit UB048GMFILCFHD1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 208121960

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	CenturyAll-around score, best model	PioneerAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	63.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)A-VCD18SA-1with ducted air handler B-VCD18SA-15 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212940800	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN018GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB018GMFILDFHD4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141953
Ducted, 2 tons	72.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)HRG1836S1Pwith indoor coil EAH1P30B+TDR+TXV and furnace GUH97M070B3M5 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212604310	83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB024GMFILDFHD2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141954
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH36QV-1A9 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214415109	76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD036GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC036GMFI20HT27 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205301885
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH48PV-112 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214442638	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD060GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC060GMFI20HT25 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205301886
Ducted, 5 tons and up	19.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RHP6000S1A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214076319	75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PRB-60HWD1N1-M191 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212527998
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH06SV-1with ductless indoor unit B-VMH06SV-110 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212940813	81.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GHFI25RPHwith ductless indoor unit WF009GHFI25HLH27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211583711
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH24SV-1with ductless indoor unit B-VMH24SV-12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212940817	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit UB024GMFILCFHD6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141957
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH36QV-1A6 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214415107	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GMFI22M3E8 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208121964
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH48PV-12 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214442637	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN050GMFI22M5E2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208121970

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	Century	Pioneer
COP at 5°F	beats 98% · 2.88HRG1548S1R-**ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 96% · 2.38YN018GMFI22RPENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 97% · 103%A-VMH36QV-1ANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 92% · 70%PRB-60HWD1N1-M19Ducted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2	beats 98% · 13.6A-VMH06SV-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 11.2YN024GMFI22RPEDucted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 20.9A-VMH48PV-1Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 21.0YN030GMFI22M3EDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 13.5HRG1548S1R-**ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 89% · 14.5YN009GHFI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hA-VMH18DV-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 40,000 Btu/hPRB-60HWD1N1-M19Ducted, 5 tons and up

More comparisons

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Century vs Pioneer heat pumps