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COMFORTSTAR vs MRCOOL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical COMFORTSTAR model beats 50% and a typical MRCOOL model 53%. MRCOOL rates slightly 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

MRCOOL

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

92 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%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCOMFORTSTAR: Beats 48%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 54%MRCOOL: Beats 56%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 49%MRCOOL: Beats 54%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 44%MRCOOL: Beats 49%

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%
    MRCOOL
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    COMFORTSTAR
    47%
    MRCOOL
    58%

  • CEE Advanced

    COMFORTSTAR
    2%
    MRCOOL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    COMFORTSTAR
    30%
    MRCOOL
    57%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

COMFORTSTAR

  1. 1CVH3-36-5SHCOMFORTSTAR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2CHF3-36DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-36DU(I)COMFORTSTAR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.7 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.8score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 72
  3. 3CVH3-27-4SHCOMFORTSTAR2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 82

MRCOOL

  1. 1UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - OMRCOOL2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.2 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    73.4score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 70
  2. 2UHP18036-Owith ducted air handler UAH18036 - OMRCOOL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    72.7score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 75
  3. 3MULTI5-36HP230C-OMRCOOL3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 60.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    69.5score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 79

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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