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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 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Friedrich

  1. 1FRP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY4821SEAAM and furnace FR802V0754A17UHFriedrich4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    84.1score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 87
  2. 2RD18AY48AJVCwith ducted air handler FRH2VY4824STACNFriedrich3.5 tons · 41,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.5score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 87
  3. 3FPHFR48A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHFA48A3DFriedrich4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    82.1score / 100Heating 84 · Cooling 80

Rheem

  1. 1RD18AY48AJVCwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M60IJRheem3.5 tons · 39,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 95.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    104% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    86.3score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 83
  2. 2ML48HP230MUL-ORheem (sold as Mainline)Also listed as ML48HP230MUL-O4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.1score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 92
  3. 3RP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY4821SEAAM and furnace R802V0754A17UHRheemAlso sold as RUUD UP19AY48AJVC, SURE SP19AY48AJVC4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    84.1score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 87

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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