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COMFORTSTAR vs Friedrich: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical COMFORTSTAR model beats 50% and a typical Friedrich model 39%. COMFORTSTAR rates higher overall.

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

COMFORTSTAR

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

133 models listed

Friedrich

39%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

188 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°FCOMFORTSTAR: Beats 51%Friedrich: Beats 46%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCOMFORTSTAR: Beats 48%Friedrich: Beats 36%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 54%Friedrich: Beats 31%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 49%Friedrich: Beats 34%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 44%Friedrich: Beats 37%

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

    COMFORTSTAR
    53%
    Friedrich
    27%

  • Xcel CC

    COMFORTSTAR
    47%
    Friedrich
    21%

  • CEE Advanced

    COMFORTSTAR
    2%
    Friedrich
    1%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    COMFORTSTAR
    30%
    Friedrich
    22%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

COMFORTSTAR

  1. 1CVH3-60-6SHCOMFORTSTAR4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 67
  2. 2CVH3-48-6SHCOMFORTSTAR4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.2 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 63
  3. 3CMZ3-55-6ZCOMFORTSTAR4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 60.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.9 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.9 (EER2)
    Good
    52.8score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 46

Friedrich

  1. 1FPHFR48A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC48A3DFriedrich3.5 tons · 44,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 49.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    49.6score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 49
  2. 2FPHMR42A3DFriedrich3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 16.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    43.7score / 100Heating 16 · Cooling 71

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.

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