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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 48% and a typical MRCOOL model 54%. MRCOOL rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

COMFORTSTAR

48%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

117 models listed

MRCOOL

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

111 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 46%MRCOOL: Beats 49%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCOMFORTSTAR: Beats 44%MRCOOL: Beats 41%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 49%MRCOOL: Beats 51%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 44%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 44%MRCOOL: Beats 56%

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
    37%
    MRCOOL
    47%

  • Xcel CC

    COMFORTSTAR
    24%
    MRCOOL
    25%

  • CEE Advanced

    COMFORTSTAR
    1%
    MRCOOL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    COMFORTSTAR
    22%
    MRCOOL
    23%

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. 1CMZ-27-3ZCOMFORTSTAR2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (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
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    75.4score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 86
  2. 2CVH-27-3SHCOMFORTSTAR2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    74.6score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 83
  3. 3CVH-36-4SHCOMFORTSTAR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 63.7Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.2score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 79

MRCOOL

  1. 1MULTI3-27HP230BMRCOOL2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (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
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    75.4score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 86
  2. 2MHP17L36P-**Awith indoor coil MCDP0048CNPB+TDR and furnace MGD80SE110C5AMRCOOL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 52% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    53% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.6 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    69.9score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 83
  3. 3MHP17L30P-**Awith indoor coil MCDP0042BNPB+TDR and furnace MGD80SE090B4AMRCOOL2.5 tons · 29,800 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 51% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    49% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.2 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    67.9score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 81

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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