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COMFORTSTAR vs RUSSELL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical COMFORTSTAR model beats 50% and a typical RUSSELL model 33%. 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

RUSSELL

33%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below 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 51%RUSSELL: Beats 37%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCOMFORTSTAR: Beats 48%RUSSELL: Beats 21%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 54%RUSSELL: Beats 24%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 49%RUSSELL: Beats 28%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2COMFORTSTAR: Beats 44%RUSSELL: Beats 36%

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%
    RUSSELL
    11%

  • Xcel CC

    COMFORTSTAR
    47%
    RUSSELL
    7%

  • CEE Advanced

    COMFORTSTAR
    2%
    RUSSELL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    COMFORTSTAR
    30%
    RUSSELL
    12%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

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

COMFORTSTAR

  1. 1CMZ3-55-6ZCOMFORTSTAR4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.1score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 92
  2. 2CVH3-48-6SHCOMFORTSTAR4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets 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)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    83.9score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  3. 3CVH3-60-6SHCOMFORTSTAR4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    82.0score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 83

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY4821SEAAM and furnace S802V0754A17UHRUSSELL4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    84.1score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 87
  2. 2RD18AY48AJVCwith ducted air handler SH2VY4824STACNRUSSELL3.5 tons · 41,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.5score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 87
  3. 3RD18AY60AJVCwith ducted air handler SH2VY6024STACNRUSSELL4.5 tons · 52,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 68.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.6score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 75

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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