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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 52% and a typical RUSSELL model 49%. Pioneer rates slightly higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

Pioneer

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

61 models listed

RUSSELL

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

60 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 47%RUSSELL: Beats 80%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FPioneer: Beats 41%RUSSELL: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Pioneer: Beats 52%RUSSELL: Beats 25%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Pioneer: Beats 56%RUSSELL: Beats 32%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Pioneer: Beats 43%RUSSELL: Beats 42%

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
    67%
    RUSSELL
    17%

  • Xcel CC

    Pioneer
    46%
    RUSSELL
    13%

  • CEE Advanced

    Pioneer
    0%
    RUSSELL
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Pioneer
    28%
    RUSSELL
    22%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

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

Pioneer

  1. 1YD060GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC060GMFI20HT2Pioneer4.5 tons · 52,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.02 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    75.8score / 100
  2. 2YH4248GHFD18R2with ducted air handler DR048GHFD18HT2Pioneer4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    56.6score / 100

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V1005A21M4SRUSSELL3.5 tons · 44,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    76.3score / 100
  2. 2SP18AZ60AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V0705A21M4SRUSSELL4.5 tons · 52,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    71.7score / 100
  3. 3RD17AZ48AJ3Nwith indoor coil TCFZ6024SEANM and furnace S921V1005A21M4SRUSSELL4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 84% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    84% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    69.4score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view