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Pioneer vs RUSSELL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Pioneer model beats 47% and a typical RUSSELL model 33%. Pioneer rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Pioneer

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

46 models listed

RUSSELL

33%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

111 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°FPioneer: Beats 41%RUSSELL: Beats 37%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FPioneer: Beats 43%RUSSELL: Beats 21%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Pioneer: Beats 56%RUSSELL: Beats 24%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Pioneer: Beats 56%RUSSELL: Beats 28%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Pioneer: Beats 40%RUSSELL: Beats 36%

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

    Pioneer
    74%
    RUSSELL
    11%

  • Xcel CC

    Pioneer
    70%
    RUSSELL
    7%

  • CEE Advanced

    Pioneer
    0%
    RUSSELL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Pioneer
    54%
    RUSSELL
    12%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

Pioneer

  1. 1YN030GLSI24M3GPioneer2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.9score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 90
  2. 2YN040GLSI24M4GPioneer3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    63.6score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 79
  3. 3YN036GMSI20RUGwith ducted air handler RB036GMSILDFHGPioneer3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 64% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    64% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.0score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 47

RUSSELL

  1. 1RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler SH2VY3621MTACNRUSSELL2.5 tons · 32,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    84.1score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 91
  2. 2SP19AY36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY3621MEAAM and furnace S97MV0603A17DHRUSSELL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.2score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 89
  3. 3SP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2VY3617STACNRUSSELL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 52% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    52% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    54.1score / 100Heating 47 · Cooling 62

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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