Skip to content

LG vs THERMAL ZONE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, LG scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. LG has 100 outdoor models, THERMAL ZONE has 101 outdoor models. THERMAL ZONE has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

CompareData as of updated · sources

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 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • LG
  • THERMAL ZONE
  • Other ranked manufacturers
LGTHERMAL …

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingLGTHERMAL ZONE
Efficiency index56% (higher)median — · 10th ranked30% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F56% (higher)median 1.96 · 17th ranked40% (higher)median 1.86
Capacity retention at 5°F57% (higher)median 74% · 9th ranked26% (higher)median 46%
HSPF251% (higher)median 9.0 · 14th ranked23% (higher)median 7.2
SEER249% (higher)median 20.0 · 17th ranked24% (higher)median 14.3
EER264% (higher)median 12.3 · 4th ranked31% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F61% (higher)median 15,550 Btu/h · 7th ranked29% (higher)median 18,550 Btu/h
Outdoor models100101
AHRI certifications1,1791,006

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardLGTHERMAL ZONE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)86%86 models7.9%8 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)82%82 models5.9%6 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)11%11 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)78%78 models7.9%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge11%11 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate64%64 models7.9%8 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
  • THERMAL ZONE
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeLGTHERMAL ZONE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons12 · index 54%5 · index 34%
Ducted, 2 tons9 · index 53%11 · index 33%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons11 · index 62%30 · index 26%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons16 · index 66%38 · index 31%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index 81%17 · index 28%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons44 · index 46%None
Non-ducted, 2 tons14 · index 50%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons12 · index 63%None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons10 · index 69%None
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 85%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 typeLGCold-climate score, best modelTHERMAL ZONECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler MSVT24***852FAA10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21758195472.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler PE(S,T)23J1 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217200657
Ducted, 2 tons78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZRUN024GSS010 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21491495675.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY24AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJ4 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 217200648
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons87.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZRUM036GSS010 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21491495272.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AEW37J+TDR2 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 217200653
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons90.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA481A18 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 21540863765.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZID48H520ZCSwith indoor coil TZID60H520ZACD and furnace MGV96U120D5C3 of 38 models qualify · AHRI 218782171
Ducted, 5 tons and up94.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215402344None on this board (0 of 17 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSAL091Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL091A44 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 216368959No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS07 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 215223214No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons93.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXA361A12 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215402345No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons95.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXA421A8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 215402347No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215408633No 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 typeLGAll-around score, best modelTHERMAL ZONEAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler MSVT24***852FAA10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21758195457.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217200644
Ducted, 2 tons79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS08 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21491495679.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZID36H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID24H520ZA12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217495954
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA361A12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21540234658.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AEW37J+TDR16 of 29 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217200653
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons91.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA421A18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21540234864.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZID60H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID48H520ZA19 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217589556
Ducted, 5 tons and up89.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21540234456.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler TZHDYTST6024*NAN9 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215415492
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons91.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSAL091Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL091A44 of 44 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216368959No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS014 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214914954No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons90.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSXA301Awith ductless indoor unit KNSCB301A12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214826535No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXA421A9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402347No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUM060GSS02 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214914943No 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
RatingLGTHERMAL ZONE
COP at 5°Fbeats 100% · 3.17KUSXB181ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 2.73TZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 137%KUSXA181ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 130%TZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 97% · 13.5KUSAL091ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 74% · 9.7TZID24H520ZCSDucted, 2 tons
SEER2beats 98% · 23.0ZRUM060GSS0Non-ducted, 5 tons and upbeats 87% · 20.0TZID36H520ZCDucted, 2 tons
EER2beats 100% · 14.8ZRUN024GSS0Ducted, 2 tonsbeats 93% · 13.3TZID36H520ZCDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 25,000 Btu/hKUSXA181ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 21,000 Btu/hTZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons