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Cowsar vs MDX: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Cowsar model beats 34% and a typical MDX model 66%. MDX rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Cowsar

34%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

12 models listed

MDX

66%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

12 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°FCowsar: Beats 61%MDX: Beats 81%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCowsar: Beats 28%MDX: Beats 64%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Cowsar: Beats 25%MDX: Beats 79%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Cowsar: Beats 36%MDX: Beats 70%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Cowsar: Beats 23%MDX: Beats 46%

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

    Cowsar
    75%
    MDX
    92%

  • Xcel CC

    Cowsar
    50%
    MDX
    92%

  • CEE Advanced

    Cowsar
    0%
    MDX
    17%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Cowsar
    0%
    MDX
    100%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Cowsar

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from Cowsar.

MDX

  1. 1MHPA-36DCTOwith ducted air handler MHPA-36DCTIMDX3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.3 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    65.1score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 60
  2. 2MCHA-36HDCTO2with ducted air handler MCHA-36HDCANI2MDX3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets 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
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    64.7score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 51
  3. 3MCHA-36HDCSO2with ducted air handler MCHA-36HDCNI2MDX3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    60.4score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 51

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.

Open the advanced view