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Friedrich vs TCL heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, TCL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Friedrich has 188 outdoor models, TCL has 177 outdoor models. TCL has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

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, TCL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • Friedrich
  • TCL
  • Other ranked manufacturers
FriedrichTCL

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingFriedrichTCL
Efficiency index39%median — · 28th ranked49%median —
COP at 5°F46% (higher)median 1.99 · 22nd ranked36% (higher)median 1.89
Capacity retention at 5°F36%median 52% · 26th ranked50%median 75%
HSPF231%median 7.5 · 28th ranked52%median 9.5
SEER234%median 15.2 · 28th ranked59%median 20.0
EER237%median 10.6 · 27th ranked41%median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F35%median 17,000 Btu/h · 28th ranked51%median 17,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models188177
AHRI certifications6,657636

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardFriedrichTCL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)26.6%50 models75.7%134 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)23.9%45 models75.7%134 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0.5%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)21.3%40 models72.3%128 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0.5%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate22.3%42 models64.4%114 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • Friedrich
  • TCL
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeFriedrichTCL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons21 · index 30%10 · index 62%
Ducted, 2 tons21 · index 31%11 · index 49%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons46 · index 37%19 · index 59%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons58 · index 41%22 · index 51%
Ducted, 5 tons and up21 · index 31%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons20 · index 55%86 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2 tons5 · index 50%18 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 47%29 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 47%12 · index 46%

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 typeFriedrichCold-climate score, best modelTCLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons73.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHFR24A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHFA18A3D5 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 21750565767.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)H18TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H18FAHUDE10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218332482
Ducted, 2 tons70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RD18AY24AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY2417STANM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHU4 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 21717602170.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H24FAHUDE11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218332483
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RD18AY36AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY3621MTANM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHN6 of 46 models qualify · AHRI 21689124667.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)H30TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H30FAHUDE16 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 218332484
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHFR48A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHFA48A3D8 of 57 models qualify · AHRI 21750887269.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)H48SDH20XQCwith ducted air handler H48APH20UDEAlso listed as THH48HDI2NAJ0H2621 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218453819
Ducted, 5 tons and up77.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP17AY60AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY6024STANM and furnace FR802V1255A24UHN1 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218328124No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHSR09A3Bwith ductless indoor unit FAHFW09A3AAlso listed as FPHSR09A3D16 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 21423240870.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U2566 of 86 models qualify · AHRI 218028413
Non-ducted, 2 tons76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHFR24A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHFC24A3D5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21662615561.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24SBH23XQCwith ductless indoor unit H24SBH23XQE11 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 218451106
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons58.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR36A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC36A3D3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21669960868.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U2519 of 28 models qualify · AHRI 218028414
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons49.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHFR48A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC48A3D2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21669960948.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH48HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H48FMHD6XPC11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218028416

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 typeFriedrichAll-around score, best modelTCLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons67.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR24A3Dwith ducted air handler FPHFA18A3D20 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21750565772.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25*Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218625046
Ducted, 2 tons75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP19AY24AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY2421HEAAM and furnace FR951V0603A17M421 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21655163370.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH24HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler THH24IDI2NAJ0H2613 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218467218
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler RH2VY3621MTACN30 of 46 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21661317080.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25*17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218625047
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil RCFY4821SEAAM and furnace FR802V0754A17UH32 of 54 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21655182767.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH42HEI2NAM0U24Also listed as H42FMH20XPC22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215351200
Ducted, 5 tons and up70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP17AY60AJVCwith ducted air handler RH2TY6024STANN14 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218328406No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FPHSR09A3Bwith ductless indoor unit FAHFW09A3AAlso listed as FPHSR09A3D20 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21423240882.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U2580 of 87 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028413
Non-ducted, 2 tons61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHSR24A3Bwith ductless indoor unit FAHFW24A3AAlso listed as FPHSR24A3D5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21409182064.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H24SBH23XQCwith ductless indoor unit H24SBH23XQE16 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218451106
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons64.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHMR27A3D4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21579283983.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U2528 of 29 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028414
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons49.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR48A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC48A3D2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21669960970.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMH48HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H48FMHD6XPC12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028416

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
RatingFriedrichTCL
COP at 5°Fbeats 98% · 2.61WFPU17Y243DDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 88% · 2.25TSH24HDI2NAL0B25Also listed as H24SVH20XQCNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 133%FPHFR09A3DDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 125%H24TDHXPCDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 86% · 10.0FRP19AY60AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 96% · 10.5TMH27HEI2NAS0U25*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 98% · 21.0FRP19AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 26.5TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 96% · 13.0RD18AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 97% · 14.0TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 96% · 18,600 Btu/hRD18AY24AJVCDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 30,000 Btu/hH24TDHXPCDucted, 2 tons

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