Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.

Friedrich and TCL on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, Friedrich scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings.

Friedrich
TCL
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Friedrich	TCL
Efficiency index	46% (higher)median — · 25th ranked	43% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	58% (higher)median 2.10 · 9th ranked	48% (higher)median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F	45% (higher)median 61% · 20th ranked	43% (higher)median 70%
HSPF2	31%median 7.5 · 26th ranked	31%median 8.5
SEER2	36%median 15.2 · 26th ranked	38%median 19.0
EER2	39% (higher)median 10.6 · 26th ranked	30% (higher)median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	39%median 15,600 Btu/h · 25th ranked	50%median 16,720 Btu/h
Outdoor models	117	52
AHRI certifications	3,083	229

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Friedrich	TCL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	37.6%44 models	42.3%22 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	37.6%44 models	38.5%20 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.7%2 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	31.6%37 models	36.5%19 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.7%2 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	28.2%33 models	23.1%12 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 7 groups where both have models

Friedrich
TCL
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Friedrich	TCL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	21 · index 27%	1 · index 31%
Ducted, 2 tons	16 · index 45%	5 · index 53%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	22 · index 52%	4 · index 49%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	28 · index 47%	3 · index 55%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	7 · index —	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	19 · index 55%	23 · index 38%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	6 · index 47%	8 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 61%	8 · index 35%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 45%	None

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	FriedrichCold-climate score, best model	TCLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	55.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR09A3Awith ducted air handler FPHFD09A3A4 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 205048198	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)THH18HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212400611
Ducted, 2 tons	74.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHU5 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 213829710	55.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH24HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212390892
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ3621MEAAM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHU5 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 213829722	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2I6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207827230
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace FR962V1005A21M47 of 28 models qualify · AHRI 214279028	62.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCE-60D7HWA/DV2I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 201864499
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHFR09A3Awith ductless indoor unit FPHFC09A3B18 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 205048197	68.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-12HA2/I3TI23with ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3TI23-I10 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 207688890
Non-ducted, 2 tons	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR24A3Awith ductless indoor unit FPHFC24A3B5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 205123805	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR36A3Awith ductless indoor unit FPHSC36A3B2 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 205150421	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	41.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHMR42A3A1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 205141513	No models in this size class

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	FriedrichAll-around score, best model	TCLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHFR09A3Awith ducted air handler FPHFD09A3A14 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205048198	30.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH18HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212400611
Ducted, 2 tons	83.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHU12 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213829710	76.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-24D7HWA/DV2I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207827229
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ36AJVCwith ducted air handler FRHMVZ6021SEACA12 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213087287	67.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2I6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211869249
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace FR802V1005A21UH17 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214610153	74.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-48D7HWA/DV2I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207827118
Ducted, 5 tons and up	70.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FWP15AZ60AJ2Nwith indoor coil TCFZ6024STANM and furnace FR97MV1005A21DH1 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213841738	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRH09Y3JAwith ductless indoor unit MWH09Y3JA19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 201763897	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-12HA2/I3TI23with ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3TI23-I14 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207688890
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHMR24A3A6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204101246	61.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TUM-27HA2/I2I21-21ES3 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209424844
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHMR36A3A2 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204101247	65.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TUM-36HA2/I2I21-21ES5 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209424845
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	44.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHMR42A3A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205141512	No models in this size class

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	Friedrich	TCL
COP at 5°F	beats 97% · 2.80WFPU17Z243CDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 2.27TUM-27HA2/I2I21-21ESNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 105%FRP18AZ48AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 142%THH24HAI2NAF2U23Ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 83% · 9.5FPHFR36A3ADucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 73% · 9.2TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 96% · 27.5MRH09Y3JANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 94% · 20.0TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 93% · 15.5MRH09Y3JANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 13.0TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 43,500 Btu/hFRP18AZ36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 34,000 Btu/hTHH18HAI2NAF2U23Ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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Friedrich vs TCL heat pumps