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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, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

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

LG

  1. 1KUSAL091Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL091ALG1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 86.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    109% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.04 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    27.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.8 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    91.4score / 100Heating 87 · Cooling 96
  2. 2KUSAL121Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL121ALG1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 85.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    113% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.8 (EER2)
    Great
    86.7score / 100Heating 86 · Cooling 88
  3. 3KUSAL151Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL151ALG1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 72.9Meets 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
    Winter efficiency
    11.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    81.9score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 91

MRCOOL

  1. 1O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-Owith ductless indoor unit O-09-HP-WMAH-230C-OMRCOOLAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O11 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    27.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    80.6score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 96
  2. 2DIY-09-HP-C-115D25-Owith ductless indoor unit DIY-09-HP-WMAH-115D25-OMRCOOLAlso listed as DIYP-09-HP-C-115DE11-O1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 70.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.16 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.6 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    75.6score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 81
  3. 3MULTI3-18HP230C-OMRCOOL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 63.3Meets 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
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    25.1 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    73.5score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 88

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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