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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), 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. 1CHF36CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA-36CCOMFORTSTAR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.98 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    79.9score / 100
  2. 2CPH36CD(O)with ducted air handler ACP-36CCOMFORTSTAR3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    78.6score / 100
  3. 3CPH36CD(O)-Bwith ducted air handler AHU36-SG2COMFORTSTAR3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 97% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    68.9score / 100

MRCOOL

  1. 1CENTRAL-36-HP-C-230A00with ducted air handler CENTRAL-36-HP-MUAH230A00MRCOOL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 99% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    74.8score / 100
  2. 2DIYH-30-HP-C-230C25with ducted air handler DIYH-30-HP-MUAH-230C25MRCOOL2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 88% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    60.4score / 100
  3. 3DIY-MULTI3-27HP230CMRCOOL2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.83 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    55.9score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view