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Friedrich vs TCL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Friedrich model beats 46% and a typical TCL model 43%. Friedrich rates slightly higher overall.

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

Friedrich

46%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

117 models listed

TCL

43%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

52 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 58%TCL: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FFriedrich: Beats 45%TCL: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Friedrich: Beats 31%TCL: Beats 31%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Friedrich: Beats 36%TCL: Beats 38%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Friedrich: Beats 39%TCL: Beats 30%

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
    38%
    TCL
    42%

  • Xcel CC

    Friedrich
    32%
    TCL
    37%

  • CEE Advanced

    Friedrich
    2%
    TCL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Friedrich
    28%
    TCL
    23%

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?

Friedrich

  1. 1FRP18AZ36AJVCwith ducted air handler FRHMVZ6021SEACAFriedrich3 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
    113% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (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%
    86.1score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 94
  2. 2FPHMR36A3AFriedrich2.5 tons · 32,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    113% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.9 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.6score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 88
  3. 3RD17AZ36AJ3Nwith ducted air handler FRH2VZ3621MTANAFriedrich3 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

TCL

  1. 1TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2ITCL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 62.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    52% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    67.3score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 83
  2. 2TCE-60HA/DV2ONwith ducted air handler TCE-36D7HWA/DV2ITCL3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 56.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    53% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    60.0score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 72
  3. 3THH30HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler THH36IAI2NAF2H23TCL2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 61.6Meets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    107% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    51.4score / 100Heating 62 · Cooling 41

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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