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.

LG and RUSSELL 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, LG scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

LG
RUSSELL
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	LG	RUSSELL
Efficiency index	65% (higher)median — · 2nd ranked	49% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	59%median 2.06 · 7th ranked	80%median 2.20
Capacity retention at 5°F	64% (higher)median 80% · 5th ranked	43% (higher)median 57%
HSPF2	70% (higher)median 9.5 · 3rd ranked	25% (higher)median 7.2
SEER2	63% (higher)median 20.2 · 6th ranked	32% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	69% (higher)median 12.5 · 1st ranked	42% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	67% (higher)median 19,900 Btu/h · 3rd ranked	42% (higher)median 24,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	78	60
AHRI certifications	175	1,231

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	LG	RUSSELL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	74.4%58 models	16.7%10 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	74.4%58 models	16.7%10 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	9%7 models	3.3%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	67.9%53 models	13.3%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	9%7 models	3.3%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	44.9%35 models	21.7%13 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 · 5 groups where both have models

LG
RUSSELL
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	LG	RUSSELL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	11 · index 57%	2 · index 27%
Ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 71%	7 · index 52%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	9 · index 80%	17 · index 52%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	15 · index 79%	26 · index 50%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	3 · index 72%	8 · index 70%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	35 · index 54%	None
Non-ducted, 2 tons	10 · index 61%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	10 · index 69%	None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	11 · index 70%	None
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	3 · index 55%	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	LGCold-climate score, best model	RUSSELLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)LUU090HVwith ducted air handler LHN098HV18 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 212578846	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	92.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ARUN024GSS45 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 10070563	74.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace S951V0403A17UHU2 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213372369
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	97.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ARUN038GSS47 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 8717932	80.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ36AJVCwith ducted air handler SHMVZ6021SEACA2 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 210106900
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LMU480HHV12 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 206717009	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V1005A21M4S4 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 210106968
Ducted, 5 tons and up	81.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)LMU601HV2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 206717003	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)LAU090HYV3with ductless indoor unit LAN090HYV322 of 35 models qualify · AHRI 204825177	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	92.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARUN024GSS47 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 10070562	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	92.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARUN038GSS47 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 8717931	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	97.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)LMU421HHV8 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 206717001	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARUB060GSS43 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 10271659	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	LGAll-around score, best model	RUSSELLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	64.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LUU180HHVwith ducted air handler LVN181HV48 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205788774	34.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AZ18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2CZ2417STANN2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211627516
Ducted, 2 tons	86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ARUN024GSS46 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10070563	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace S951V0403A17UHU4 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213372369
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	97.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ARUN038GSS48 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 8717932	87.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521Z6 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210589394
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	89.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LMU480HHV15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206717009	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521Z9 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210589350
Ducted, 5 tons and up	78.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LMU601HV2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206717003	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AZ60AJ2Nwith indoor coil TCFZ6024STANM and furnace S97MV1005A21DHS1 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212387320
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)LAU090HYV3with ductless indoor unit LAN090HYV331 of 35 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204825177	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	88.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)LAU240HYV3with ductless indoor unit LAN240HYV39 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204825181	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	87.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)LMU361HHV10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206717007	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	92.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)LMU421HHV11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206717001	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	61.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)LMU601HV3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206717015	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	LG	RUSSELL
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 3.19ARUN038GSS4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 2.60SP15AZ60AJ2NDucted, 5 tons and up
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 114%ARUM036GSS5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 105%SP18AZ48AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 9.5LMU601HVDucted, 5 tons and up	beats 75% · 9.5RD17AZ24AJ3NDucted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 18.5LMU601HVDucted, 5 tons and up	beats 94% · 20.0SP18AZ24AJVCDucted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 15.5ARUM036GSS5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 91% · 12.5SP18AZ36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 48,000 Btu/hARUM036GSS5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 43,500 Btu/hSP18AZ36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons

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LG vs RUSSELL heat pumps