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.

Pioneer and RUSSELL 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, Pioneer scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Pioneer
RUSSELL
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Pioneer	RUSSELL
Efficiency index	52% (higher)median — · 19th ranked	49% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	47%median 1.85 · 21st ranked	80%median 2.20
Capacity retention at 5°F	41%median 67% · 23rd ranked	43%median 57%
HSPF2	52% (higher)median 9.0 · 14th ranked	25% (higher)median 7.2
SEER2	56% (higher)median 19.0 · 11th ranked	32% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	43% (higher)median 11.0 · 24th ranked	42% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	43% (higher)median 14,400 Btu/h · 22nd ranked	42% (higher)median 24,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	61	60
AHRI certifications	98	1,231

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Pioneer	RUSSELL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	67.2%41 models	16.7%10 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	62.3%38 models	16.7%10 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	3.3%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	45.9%28 models	13.3%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	3.3%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	27.9%17 models	21.7%13 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

Pioneer
RUSSELL
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	Pioneer	RUSSELL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	4 · index 69%	2 · index 27%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 65%	7 · index 52%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	8 · index 59%	17 · index 52%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 58%	26 · index 50%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 75%	8 · index 70%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	31 · index 48%	None
Non-ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 53%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	11 · index 41%	None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 44%	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	PioneerCold-climate score, best model	RUSSELLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB009GMFILDFHD3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 208141951	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB024GMFILDFHD2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 208141954	74.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace S951V0403A17UHU2 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213372369
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YH3036GHFD18R2with ducted air handler DR036GHFD18HT23 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 207028595	80.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SP18AZ36AJVCwith ducted air handler SHMVZ6021SEACA2 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 210106900
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD060GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC060GMFI20HT22 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 205301886	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V1005A21M4S4 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 210106968
Ducted, 5 tons and up	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRB-60HWD1N1-M191 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212527998	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit CK009GMFILCFHD16 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 213349746	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit UB024GMFILCFHD3 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 208141957	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GMFI22M3E1 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 208121964	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	56.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMFI18RUEwith ductless indoor unit UB048GMFILCFHD1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 208121960	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	PioneerAll-around score, best model	RUSSELLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN018GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB018GMFILDFHD4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141953	34.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AZ18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2CZ2417STANN2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211627516
Ducted, 2 tons	83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ducted air handler RB024GMFILDFHD2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141954	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace S951V0403A17UHU4 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213372369
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD036GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC036GMFI20HT27 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205301885	87.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SP18AZ36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521Z6 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210589394
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD060GMFI20MR2with ducted air handler DC060GMFI20HT25 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205301886	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S802VA100521Z9 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210589350
Ducted, 5 tons and up	75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PRB-60HWD1N1-M191 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212527998	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AZ60AJ2Nwith indoor coil TCFZ6024STANM and furnace S97MV1005A21DHS1 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212387320
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	81.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GHFI25RPHwith ductless indoor unit WF009GHFI25HLH27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211583711	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GMFI22RPEwith ductless indoor unit UB024GMFILCFHD6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208141957	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GMFI22M3E8 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208121964	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN050GMFI22M5E2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208121970	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	Pioneer	RUSSELL
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.38YN018GMFI22RPENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 2.60SP15AZ60AJ2NDucted, 5 tons and up
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 92% · 70%PRB-60HWD1N1-M19Ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 100% · 105%SP18AZ48AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 98% · 11.2YN024GMFI22RPEDucted, 2 tons	beats 75% · 9.5RD17AZ24AJ3NDucted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 98% · 21.0YN030GMFI22M3EDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 94% · 20.0SP18AZ24AJVCDucted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 89% · 14.5YN009GHFI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 12.5SP18AZ36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 91% · 40,000 Btu/hPRB-60HWD1N1-M19Ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 100% · 43,500 Btu/hSP18AZ36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons

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Pioneer vs RUSSELL heat pumps