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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 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

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJTHERMAL ZONE1.5 tons · 16,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.0Meets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.73 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    57.9score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 45
  2. 2TZID18H520ZCSwith ducted air handler TZID18H520ZAMTHERMAL ZONE1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 62% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    62% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.8 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    43.1score / 100Heating 38 · Cooling 48
  3. 3TZP14AY18AJ1Nwith ducted air handler AE*S+CM24C2J+TDRTHERMAL ZONE1.5 tons · 15,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 56% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    57% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.29 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.3 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    24.1score / 100Heating 37 · Cooling 11

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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