Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

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

Friedrich

  1. 1FPHFR36A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC36A3DFriedrich3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    58.2score / 100
  2. 2FPHMR36A3DFriedrich3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    53.7score / 100
  3. 3FPHMR27A3DFriedrich2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    50.2score / 100

TCL

  1. 1TMH27HEI2NAS0U25TCLAlso listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U252.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    68.0score / 100
  2. 2TMH36HEI2NAS0U25TCLAlso listed as H36FMHD5XPC, TMH36HEI2NAS0U253 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 83% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    57.7score / 100
  3. 3TMH27HEI2NAO0U24TCLAlso listed as H27FMH22XPC2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    57.5score / 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.

Open the advanced view