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Friedrich vs Rheem: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Friedrich model beats 39% and a typical Rheem model 49%. Rheem 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

Rheem

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

341 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%Rheem: Beats 59%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FFriedrich: Beats 36%Rheem: Beats 48%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Friedrich: Beats 31%Rheem: Beats 43%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Friedrich: Beats 34%Rheem: Beats 42%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Friedrich: Beats 37%Rheem: Beats 40%

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%
    Rheem
    36%

  • Xcel CC

    Friedrich
    21%
    Rheem
    34%

  • CEE Advanced

    Friedrich
    1%
    Rheem
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Friedrich
    22%
    Rheem
    33%

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?

Friedrich

  1. 1RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler RH2VY3621MTACNFriedrich2.5 tons · 32,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    84.1score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 91
  2. 2FRP19AY36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY3621MEAAM and furnace FR97MV0603A17DHFriedrich3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.9Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.2score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 89
  3. 3FPHMR36A3DFriedrich3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 54.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.9 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    72.3score / 100Heating 54 · Cooling 90

Rheem

  1. 1RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M36FJRheem2.5 tons · 30,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 94.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    109% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    92.7score / 100Heating 94 · Cooling 91
  2. 2ML36HP230MULH-ORheem (sold as Mainline)Also listed as ML36HP230MULH-O3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  3. 3RP19AY36AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY3621MEAAM and furnace R97MV0603A17DHRheemAlso sold as RUUD UP19AY36AJVC, SURE SP19AY36AJVC3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.9Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.2score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 89

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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