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LG vs THERMAL ZONE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical LG model beats 56% and a typical THERMAL ZONE model 30%. 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

THERMAL ZONE

30%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

101 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%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FLG: Beats 57%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 26%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2LG: Beats 51%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 23%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2LG: Beats 49%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 24%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2LG: Beats 64%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 31%

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%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

  • Xcel CC

    LG
    78%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

  • CEE Advanced

    LG
    11%
    THERMAL ZONE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    LG
    64%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

LG

  1. 1KUMXA421ALG3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 89.3Meets 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)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.1 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    91.2score / 100Heating 89 · Cooling 93
  2. 2KUMXA481ALG4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 90.4Meets 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)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.33 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.6 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    90.1score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 90
  3. 3KUSXA422Awith ducted air handler MSVT48***964GAALG3.5 tons · 41,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.5score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 91

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZID60H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID48H520ZATHERMAL ZONE4 tons · 47,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.3 (EER2)
    Good
    64.4score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 65
  2. 2TZP15AY48AJ2Nwith ducted air handler 98-888+TXV+RDS+TDR+E30B5DTHERMAL ZONE4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 53% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    53% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    54.8score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 57
  3. 3TZP15AY42AJ2Nwith ducted air handler 98-888+TXV+RDS+TDR+E30B5DTHERMAL ZONE3.5 tons · 39,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    51% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    52.8score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 57

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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