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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 5 tons and up

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

Showing Ducted, 5 tons and up (57,000 Btu/h and up cooling). What size is my system?

COMFORTSTAR

  1. 1CPP3-60DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-60DU(I)COMFORTSTAR5 tons · 58,000 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
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    65.3score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 48
  2. 2CMZ3-62-6ZCOMFORTSTAR5 tons · 60,000 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    62.5score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 54

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP15AY60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2CY6024STANNRUSSELL5 tons · 57,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    50% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    56.6score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 58
  2. 2SP14AY60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2VY6024STACNRUSSELL5 tons · 57,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    49% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    56.2score / 100Heating 54 · Cooling 58
  3. 3RHPXYC060ACTRUSSELLAlso listed as RHPXYC060ADT, RDFXYC060ACV5 tons · 57,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 45% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    45% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.60 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.2 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    39.7score / 100Heating 26 · Cooling 54

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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