Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

Champion Evcon Guardian vs SUM X heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, SUM X scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. Champion Evcon Guardian has 6 outdoor models, SUM X has 6 outdoor models. Champion Evcon Guardian and SUM X 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 updated · 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 SUM X 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, SUM X scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • Champion Evcon Guardian
  • SUM X
  • Other ranked manufacturers
Champion…SUM X

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingChampion Evcon GuardianSUM X
Efficiency index17%median —73%median —
COP at 5°F20%median 1.7278%median 2.23
Capacity retention at 5°F10%median 42%80%median 88%
HSPF28%median 6.770%median 9.5
SEER27%median 13.479%median 19.8
EER236%median 11.061%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F11%median 14,550 Btu/h75%median 26,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models66
AHRI certifications610

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardChampion Evcon GuardianSUM X
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models100%6 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models100%6 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)0%0 models100%6 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models100%6 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 · 3 groups where both have models
  • Champion Evcon Guardian
  • SUM X
  • All models of the group
Ducted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeChampion Evcon GuardianSUM X
Ducted, 2 tons1 · index 11%1 · index 80%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 15%1 · index 82%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 21%1 · index 82%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone1 · index 81%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone2 · index 56%

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 typeChampion Evcon GuardianCold-climate score, best modelSUM XCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)82.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SM-24HSM2-CUwith ducted air handler SM-24HSM2-AH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217747174
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)87.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)SM-36HSM2-CUwith ducted air handler SM-36HSM2-AH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217747175
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)77.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SM-48HSM2-CUwith ducted air handler SM-48HSM2-AH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217747176
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class88.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SM-60HSM2-CUwith ducted air handler SM-60HSM2-AH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217747177
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class60.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SM-12HSM2-CUwith ductless indoor unit SM-12HSM2-WU2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218457855

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 typeChampion Evcon GuardianAll-around score, best modelSUM XAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons10.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PL3C24N00S21A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21869461279.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SM-24HSM2-CUwith ducted air handler SM-24HSM2-AH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747174
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons15.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PL3C30N00S21A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21869461382.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SM-36HSM2-CUwith ducted air handler SM-36HSM2-AH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747175
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons26.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PL3C60N00S21A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21869461782.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SM-48HSM2-CUwith ducted air handler SM-48HSM2-AH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747176
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class81.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SM-60HSM2-CUwith ducted air handler SM-60HSM2-AH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747177
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class60.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)SM-12HSM2-CUwith ductless indoor unit SM-12HSM2-WU2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218457855

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
RatingChampion Evcon GuardianSUM X
COP at 5°Fbeats 54% · 2.00PL3C60N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 2.42SM-60HSM2-CUDucted, 5 tons and up
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 16% · 45%PL3C60N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 94% · 75%SM-60HSM2-CUDucted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2beats 8% · 6.7PL3C42N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 96% · 10.5SM-36HSM2-CUDucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 8% · 13.4PL3C42N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 95% · 19.0SM-60HSM2-CUDucted, 5 tons and up
EER2beats 40% · 11.0PL3C42N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 83% · 12.0SM-48HSM2-CUDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 23% · 24,400 Btu/hPL3C60N00S21ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 93% · 18,000 Btu/hSM-18HSM2-CUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers