Champion Evcon Guardian vs Rethink Rental heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Rethink Rental scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Champion Evcon Guardian has 6 outdoor models, Rethink Rental has 6 outdoor models. Champion Evcon Guardian and Rethink Rental have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · sources

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.

Champion Evcon Guardian and Rethink Rental 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, Rethink Rental scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

Champion Evcon Guardian
Rethink Rental
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Champion Evcon Guardian	Rethink Rental
Efficiency index	17%median —	35%median —
COP at 5°F	20%median 1.72	51%median 1.99
Capacity retention at 5°F	10%median 42%	21%median 67%
HSPF2	8%median 6.7	30%median 9.1
SEER2	7%median 13.4	40%median 20.8
EER2	36% (higher)median 11.0	33% (higher)median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	11%median 14,550 Btu/h	31%median 14,250 Btu/h
Outdoor models	6	6
AHRI certifications	6	6

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Champion Evcon Guardian	Rethink Rental
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	66.7%4 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	66.7%4 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	33.3%2 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	0%0 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 · 0 groups where both have models

Champion Evcon Guardian
Rethink Rental
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	Champion Evcon Guardian	Rethink Rental
Ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 11%	None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 15%	None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 21%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	3 · index 38%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 29%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	2 · index 33%

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	Champion Evcon GuardianCold-climate score, best model	Rethink RentalCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	39.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAC9K-3/4TODwith ductless indoor unit SAC9K-3/4TID1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216016407
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	45.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAC24K-2TODwith ductless indoor unit SAC24K-2TID1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216016410
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)

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	Champion Evcon GuardianAll-around score, best model	Rethink RentalAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	10.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PL3C24N00S21A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218694612	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	15.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PL3C30N00S21A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218694613	No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	26.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PL3C60N00S21A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218694617	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	49.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAC9K-3/4TODwith ductless indoor unit SAC9K-3/4TID3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216016407
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	29.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAC24K-2TODwith ductless indoor unit SAC24K-2TID1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216016410
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	39.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAC30K-2.5TODwith ductless indoor unit SAC30K-2.5TID2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216016411

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	Champion Evcon Guardian	Rethink Rental
COP at 5°F	beats 54% · 2.00PL3C60N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 76% · 2.11SAC24K-2TODNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 16% · 45%PL3C60N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 37% · 71%SAC24K-2TODNon-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 8% · 6.7PL3C42N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 38% · 9.4SAC9K-3/4TODNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 8% · 13.4PL3C42N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 61% · 22.3SAC30K-2.5TODNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 40% · 11.0PL3C42N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 62% · 12.6SAC9K-3/4TODNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 23% · 24,400 Btu/hPL3C60N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 63% · 11,500 Btu/hSAC18K-1.5TODNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers