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 RUSSELL 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, COMFORTSTAR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

COMFORTSTAR
RUSSELL
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	COMFORTSTAR	RUSSELL
Efficiency index	50% (higher)median —	33% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	51% (higher)median 2.00	37% (higher)median 1.82
Capacity retention at 5°F	48% (higher)median 71%	21% (higher)median 45%
HSPF2	54% (higher)median 8.7	24% (higher)median 7.2
SEER2	49% (higher)median 17.1	28% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	44% (higher)median 11.2	36% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	52% (higher)median 20,600 Btu/h	21% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	133	111
AHRI certifications	461	2,007

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	COMFORTSTAR	RUSSELL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	53.4%71 models	10.8%12 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	53.4%71 models	9%10 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.5%2 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	46.6%62 models	7.2%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.5%2 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	30.1%40 models	11.7%13 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 · 5 groups where both have models

COMFORTSTAR
RUSSELL
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	COMFORTSTAR	RUSSELL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	17 · index 67%	2 · index 27%
Ducted, 2 tons	17 · index 48%	12 · index 29%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	31 · index 49%	33 · index 31%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	36 · index 49%	44 · index 36%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	2 · index 64%	20 · index 33%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	25 · index 56%	None
Non-ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 46%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	18 · index 44%	None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	11 · index 39%	None
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · 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 type	COMFORTSTARCold-climate score, best model	RUSSELLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)13 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 217138375	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler AHU3-24M12 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 217138361	70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RD18AY24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY2417STANM and furnace S962V0603A17M42 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217906632
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.2(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 217138387	78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RD18AY36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY3621MTANM and furnace S801V0504A17UHS2 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 216892076
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-48-6SH16 of 36 models qualify · AHRI 216720919	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY4821SEAAM and furnace S802V0754A17DZ4 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 216051255
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 20 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	94.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit T1W3-06CD(I)17 of 25 models qualify · AHRI 217138383	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(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 217138374	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-36DU(O)with ductless indoor unit FPA3-36DU(I)14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 217138384	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-60-6SH9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216720923	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None 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 type	COMFORTSTARAll-around score, best model	RUSSELLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.0(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 217138375	38.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler RF2TY2421STANS2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216533447
Ducted, 2 tons	78.8(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 216720902	74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP19AY24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY2421HEAAM and furnace S972V0603A17UPS12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218728661
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-36-5SH27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720916	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler SH2VY3621MTACN19 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217166015
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CMZ3-55-6Z32 of 36 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720934	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY4821SEAAM and furnace S802V0754A17UH23 of 43 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216051262
Ducted, 5 tons and up	65.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPP3-60DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-60DU(I)2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720905	56.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AY60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2CY6024STANN11 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215415481
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-06CD(I)22 of 25 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138368	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	74.3(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 216720887	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-36-5SH17 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720915	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-60-6SH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720921	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ3-62-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720936	No 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
Rating	COMFORTSTAR	RUSSELL
COP at 5°F	beats 98% · 2.47CPP3-12CD(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 2.40RD16AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 115%CHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 88% · 97%SP19AY60AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 11.0CVH3-48-6SHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 86% · 10.0SP19AY48AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 97% · 22.0C32-MZ-2Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 21.0SP19AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 14.4CHF3-06CD(O)Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 13.0RD18AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 42,500 Btu/hCHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 95% · 53,000 Btu/hSP19AY60AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

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COMFORTSTAR vs RUSSELL heat pumps