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ECO-AIR vs RUSSELL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ECO-AIR model beats 56% and a typical RUSSELL model 49%. ECO-AIR rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

ECO-AIR

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

58 models listed

RUSSELL

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

60 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°FECO-AIR: Beats 51%RUSSELL: Beats 80%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FECO-AIR: Beats 53%RUSSELL: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ECO-AIR: Beats 69%RUSSELL: Beats 25%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ECO-AIR: Beats 62%RUSSELL: Beats 32%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ECO-AIR: Beats 47%RUSSELL: Beats 42%

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

    ECO-AIR
    62%
    RUSSELL
    17%

  • Xcel CC

    ECO-AIR
    45%
    RUSSELL
    13%

  • CEE Advanced

    ECO-AIR
    2%
    RUSSELL
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ECO-AIR
    50%
    RUSSELL
    22%

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), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

ECO-AIR

  1. 1M4OX630-36HFN1-M1XECO-AIR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.9Meets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 88
  2. 2M3OJ-27HFN1-MECO-AIR2.5 tons · 28,000 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    75.4score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 86
  3. 3M3OI-28HFN1-MECO-AIR (sold as Eco Air)2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    74.6score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 83

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP18AZ36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521ZRUSSELL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    119% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    87.2score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 94
  2. 2RD17AZ36AJ3Nwith ducted air handler SH2VZ3621MTANARUSSELL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    53% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    70.9score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 86
  3. 3SP15AZ30AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2VZ3617STANNRUSSELL2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 54% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    55% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    58.0score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 65

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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