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LG vs MRCOOL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical LG model beats 56% and a typical MRCOOL model 53%. LG rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

LG

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

100 models listed

MRCOOL

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

92 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°FLG: Beats 56%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FLG: Beats 57%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2LG: Beats 51%MRCOOL: Beats 56%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2LG: Beats 49%MRCOOL: Beats 54%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2LG: Beats 64%MRCOOL: Beats 49%

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

    LG
    86%
    MRCOOL
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    LG
    78%
    MRCOOL
    58%

  • CEE Advanced

    LG
    11%
    MRCOOL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    LG
    64%
    MRCOOL
    57%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

LG

  1. 1KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler MSVT24***852FAALG1.5 tons · 17,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    137% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    78.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 77
  2. 2KUSXB181Awith ducted air handler MSVT24***852FAALG1.5 tons · 17,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 75.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    124% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    75.6score / 100Heating 76 · Cooling 76
  3. 3KUSXA121Awith ducted air handler KNSLB121ALG1 ton · 12,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.4Meets 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
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.3 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    71.9score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 74

MRCOOL

  1. 1O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-Owith ducted air handler DUCT-09HP-230B-OMRCOOLAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O11 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    112% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 94
  2. 2MULTI3-18HP230C-OMRCOOL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    74.1score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 76
  3. 3O-HH-12-HP-C-230C-Owith ducted air handler DUCT-12HP-230B-OMRCOOLAlso listed as O-ES-12-HP-C-230C-O11 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.7Meets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    72.7score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 76

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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