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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%

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. 1YN048GMSI20RUGwith ducted air handler RB048GMSILDFHGPioneer4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    67.6score / 100
  2. 2YD4860GCSI18RDwith ducted air handler DC060GCSICDHRTPioneer4.5 tons · 55,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 75% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    64.7score / 100
  3. 3YN050GLSI24M5GPioneer3.5 tons · 41,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    52.2score / 100

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY4821SEAAM and furnace S802V0754A17DZRUSSELL4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    80.9score / 100
  2. 2RD18AY48AJVCwith ducted air handler SH2VY4821STACNRUSSELL3.5 tons · 41,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    80.1score / 100
  3. 3SP19AY60AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY6021SEAAM and furnace S962V0855A21M4RUSSELL4.5 tons · 53,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    75.1score / 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.

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