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Friedrich vs MRCOOL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Friedrich model beats 39% and a typical MRCOOL model 53%. MRCOOL rates higher overall.

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

Friedrich

39%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

188 models listed

MRCOOL

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

92 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°FFriedrich: Beats 46%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FFriedrich: Beats 36%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Friedrich: Beats 31%MRCOOL: Beats 56%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Friedrich: Beats 34%MRCOOL: Beats 54%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Friedrich: Beats 37%MRCOOL: Beats 49%

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

    Friedrich
    27%
    MRCOOL
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    Friedrich
    21%
    MRCOOL
    58%

  • CEE Advanced

    Friedrich
    1%
    MRCOOL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Friedrich
    22%
    MRCOOL
    57%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

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

Friedrich

  1. 1RD18AY36AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY3621MTANM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHNFriedrich2.5 tons · 32,200 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 87% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.1score / 100
  2. 2FRP17AY36AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY3617STANM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHUFriedrich3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    71.3score / 100
  3. 3FPHFR36A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHSD36A3DFriedrich3 tons · 33,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    71.2score / 100

MRCOOL

  1. 1UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - OMRCOOL2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 101% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    77.0score / 100
  2. 2CENTRAL-36-HP-C-230B00-Owith ducted air handler MVP-36-HP-MUAH-230A00-OMRCOOL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 105% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    73.1score / 100
  3. 3UHP18036-Owith ducted air handler UAH18036 - OMRCOOL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 101% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    70.4score / 100

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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