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COMFORTSTAR vs MRCOOL heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, MRCOOL scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. COMFORTSTAR has 133 outdoor models, MRCOOL has 92 outdoor models. COMFORTSTAR has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

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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.
COMFORTSTAR and MRCOOL 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, MRCOOL scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • COMFORTSTAR
  • MRCOOL
  • Other ranked manufacturers
COMFORTS…MRCOOL

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCOMFORTSTARMRCOOL
Efficiency index50%median —53%median — · 17th ranked
COP at 5°F51% (higher)median 2.0050% (higher)median 1.99 · 19th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F48%median 71%50%median 73% · 17th ranked
HSPF254%median 8.756%median 9.2 · 11th ranked
SEER249%median 17.154%median 18.8 · 15th ranked
EER244%median 11.249%median 11.7 · 17th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F52%median 20,600 Btu/h52%median 17,100 Btu/h · 16th ranked
Outdoor models13392
AHRI certifications461504

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCOMFORTSTARMRCOOL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)53.4%71 models67.4%62 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)53.4%71 models66.3%61 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.5%2 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)46.6%62 models57.6%53 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.5%2 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate30.1%40 models56.5%52 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • COMFORTSTAR
  • MRCOOL
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 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 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 typeCOMFORTSTARMRCOOL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons17 · index 67%10 · index 67%
Ducted, 2 tons17 · index 48%12 · index 57%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons31 · index 49%15 · index 52%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons36 · index 49%19 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index 64%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons25 · index 56%35 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 2 tons7 · index 46%10 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons18 · index 44%6 · index 34%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons11 · index 39%3 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 27%None

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 typeCOMFORTSTARCold-climate score, best modelMRCOOLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)13 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 21713837580.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-Owith ducted air handler DUCT-09HP-230B-OAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O18 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 216032559
Ducted, 2 tons77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler AHU3-24M12 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 21713836186.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O1with ducted air handler O-18-HP-WMAH-235C-O10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217447812
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-36DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-36DU(I)12 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 21713838777.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - O9 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 217730329
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-48-6SH16 of 36 models qualify · AHRI 21672091977.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI6-48HP230C-O13 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 217291702
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons94.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit T1W3-06CD(I)17 of 25 models qualify · AHRI 21713838380.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIYHH-12-HP-C-230D25-Owith ductless indoor unit DIYCASSETTE12HP-230D25-O22 of 35 models qualify · AHRI 216032550
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit TIP3-24CD(I)4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21713837489.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)O-HH-24-HP-C-230C-Owith ductless indoor unit CASSETTE24HP-230C-OAlso listed as O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O16 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 216032567
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-36DU(O)with ductless indoor unit FPA3-36DU(I)14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 21713838441.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI4-27HP230C-O3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217291695
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-60-6SH9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 21672092356.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI6-48HP230C-O3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217291703
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No models in this size class

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 typeCOMFORTSTARAll-around score, best modelMRCOOLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713837586.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-Owith ducted air handler DUCT-09HP-230B-OAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O19 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032559
Ducted, 2 tons78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPP3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-24CD(I)15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672090278.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O1with ducted air handler O-18-HP-WMAH-235C-O11 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217447812
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-36-5SH27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672091673.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - O13 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217730329
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ3-55-6Z32 of 36 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672093485.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI6-48HP230C-O16 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291702
Ducted, 5 tons and up65.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-60DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-60DU(I)2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720905No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-06CD(I)22 of 25 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713836880.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-Owith ductless indoor unit O-09-HP-WMAH-230C-OAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O135 of 35 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032557
Non-ducted, 2 tons74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-24CD(I)6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672088776.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O1with ductless indoor unit O-18-HP-WMAH-233C-O10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217447810
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-36-5SH17 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672091566.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI4-27HP230C-O6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291695
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-60-6SH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672092168.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MULTI6-48HP230C-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291703
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ3-62-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720936No models in this size class

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
RatingCOMFORTSTARMRCOOL
COP at 5°Fbeats 98% · 2.47CPP3-12CD(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 2.44DIY-18-HP-C-230D25-OAlso listed as DIYP-18-HP-C-230DE11-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 115%CHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 126%MDPH18024DDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 11.0CVH3-48-6SHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 13.5O-HH-24-HP-C-230C-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2beats 97% · 22.0C32-MZ-2Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 25.0MULTI4-27HP230C-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 99% · 14.4CHF3-06CD(O)Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 15.4O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-OAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 42,500 Btu/hCHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 30,300 Btu/hMDPH18024DDucted, 2 tons

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