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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 39% and a typical TCL model 49%. TCL 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

TCL

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

177 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%TCL: Beats 36%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FFriedrich: Beats 36%TCL: Beats 50%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Friedrich: Beats 31%TCL: Beats 52%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Friedrich: Beats 34%TCL: Beats 59%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Friedrich: Beats 37%TCL: Beats 41%

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%
    TCL
    76%

  • Xcel CC

    Friedrich
    21%
    TCL
    72%

  • CEE Advanced

    Friedrich
    1%
    TCL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Friedrich
    22%
    TCL
    64%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 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, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Friedrich

  1. 1FPHFR48A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHFA48A3DFriedrich4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    83.9score / 100
  2. 2RD18AY48AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY4821STANM and furnace FR98MV1005A21UPFriedrich3.5 tons · 40,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 94% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    81.6score / 100
  3. 3FRP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY4821SEAAM and furnace FR802V0754A17UHFriedrich4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    80.9score / 100

TCL

  1. 1H48SDH20XQCwith ducted air handler H48APH20UDETCLAlso listed as THH48HDI2NAJ0H264 tons · 48,000 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)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    69.4score / 100
  2. 2H60SDH20XQCwith ducted air handler H60APH20UDETCLAlso listed as THH55HDI2NAJ0H264.5 tons · 54,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 93% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    93% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    66.4score / 100
  3. 3TMH42HDI2NAO0U25TCLAlso listed as TMH42HDI2NAO0U253.5 tons · 39,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    63.6score / 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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