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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

COMFORTSTAR

  1. 1CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)COMFORTSTAR0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 93.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.41 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    95.0score / 100Heating 94 · Cooling 97
  2. 2CHF3-09CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-09CD(I)COMFORTSTAR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    112% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 94
  3. 3CPP3-09CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-09CD(I)COMFORTSTAR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.8score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 80

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler RF2TY2421STANSRUSSELL1.5 tons · 17,100 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    50% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    38.2score / 100Heating 31 · Cooling 45
  2. 2SP14AY18AJ1Nwith ducted air handler RF2TY2421STANSRUSSELL1.5 tons · 17,100 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
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    33.9score / 100Heating 23 · Cooling 45

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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