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LG vs RUSSELL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical LG model beats 56% and a typical RUSSELL model 33%. LG rates 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

RUSSELL

33%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

111 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%RUSSELL: Beats 37%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FLG: Beats 57%RUSSELL: Beats 21%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2LG: Beats 51%RUSSELL: Beats 24%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2LG: Beats 49%RUSSELL: Beats 28%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2LG: Beats 64%RUSSELL: Beats 36%

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%
    RUSSELL
    11%

  • Xcel CC

    LG
    78%
    RUSSELL
    7%

  • CEE Advanced

    LG
    11%
    RUSSELL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    LG
    64%
    RUSSELL
    12%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

LG

  1. 1KUMXA361ALG3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 87.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    89.3score / 100Heating 87 · Cooling 92
  2. 2KUSXA301Awith ducted air handler MSVT36***864FAALG2.5 tons · 29,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.9Meets 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
    2.04 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.2 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.3score / 100Heating 84 · Cooling 87
  3. 3ZRUM036GSS0LG3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 87.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    82.6score / 100Heating 87 · Cooling 78

RUSSELL

  1. 1RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler SH2VY3621MTACNRUSSELL2.5 tons · 32,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    84.1score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 91
  2. 2SP19AY36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY3621MEAAM and furnace S97MV0603A17DHRUSSELL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.2score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 89
  3. 3SP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2VY3617STACNRUSSELL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 52% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    52% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    54.1score / 100Heating 47 · Cooling 62

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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