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 THERMAL ZONE 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
THERMAL ZONE
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	LG	THERMAL ZONE
Efficiency index	65% (higher)median — · 2nd ranked	43% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	59%median 2.06 · 7th ranked	68%median 2.10
Capacity retention at 5°F	64% (higher)median 80% · 5th ranked	37% (higher)median 56%
HSPF2	70% (higher)median 9.5 · 3rd ranked	31% (higher)median 7.5
SEER2	63% (higher)median 20.2 · 6th ranked	26% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	69% (higher)median 12.5 · 1st ranked	36% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	67% (higher)median 19,900 Btu/h · 3rd ranked	40% (higher)median 19,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models	78	88
AHRI certifications	175	509

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	LG	THERMAL ZONE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	74.4%58 models	12.5%11 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	74.4%58 models	11.4%10 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	9%7 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	67.9%53 models	6.8%6 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	9%7 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	44.9%35 models	21.6%19 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 · 6 groups where both have models

LG
THERMAL ZONE
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	THERMAL ZONE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	11 · index 57%	8 · index 32%
Ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 71%	9 · index 42%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	9 · index 80%	27 · index 44%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	15 · index 79%	31 · index 46%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	3 · index 72%	12 · index 55%
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%	1 · index —
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	THERMAL ZONECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LUU090HVwith ducted air handler LHN098HV18 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 212578846	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZPLV182PAwith ducted air handler H,RG21924+TD1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 214311494
Ducted, 2 tons	92.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ARUN024GSS45 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 10070563	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZPLV242PAwith ducted air handler TZHVLE2417JA2 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 211126503
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	97.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ARUN038GSS47 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 8717932	78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZPLV362PAwith ducted air handler MAC-36HWDN1-MN02 of 27 models qualify · AHRI 213885869
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	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZPLV482PAwith ducted air handler TZHVLE4821JA2 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 211126512
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 12 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	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
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	THERMAL ZONEAll-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	63.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZPLV182PAwith ducted air handler TZHVLE1817JA6 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211126509
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	65.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZPLV242PAwith ducted air handler TZHVLE2417JA6 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211126503
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	58.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZPLAD1530AJNwith ducted air handler TZHDLVST3617*NAN10 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212508013
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	62.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZPLAD1548AJNwith ducted air handler TZHDLVST4821*NAN10 of 30 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212508016
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	67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AZ60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler TZHDLTST6024*NANAlso listed as TZPLAD1560AJN3 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641701
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	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
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	THERMAL ZONE
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 3.19ARUN038GSS4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 90% · 2.50TZPLAD1560AJNDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 114%ARUM036GSS5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 97% · 102%TZPLV362PADucted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 9.5LMU601HVDucted, 5 tons and up	beats 93% · 10.0TZPLV362PADucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 18.5LMU601HVDucted, 5 tons and up	beats 70% · 16.0TZP15AZ60AJ2NAlso listed as TZPLAD1560AJNDucted, 5 tons and up
EER2	beats 100% · 15.5ARUM036GSS5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 78% · 11.7TZP15AZ60AJ2NAlso listed as TZPLAD1560AJNDucted, 5 tons and up
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 48,000 Btu/hARUM036GSS5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 95% · 48,500 Btu/hTZPLV602PADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers

LG vs THERMAL ZONE heat pumps