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 6 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	47% (higher)median — · 25th ranked	33% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	41% (higher)median 1.88 · 27th ranked	37% (higher)median 1.82
Capacity retention at 5°F	43% (higher)median 73% · 23rd ranked	21% (higher)median 45%
HSPF2	56% (higher)median 9.5 · 12th ranked	24% (higher)median 7.2
SEER2	56% (higher)median 20.0 · 13th ranked	28% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	40% (higher)median 11.2 · 24th ranked	36% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	45% (higher)median 12,800 Btu/h · 23rd ranked	21% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	46	111
AHRI certifications	69	2,007

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)	73.9%34 models	10.8%12 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	73.9%34 models	9%10 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	69.6%32 models	7.2%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	54.3%25 models	11.7%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 58%	2 · index 27%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 68%	12 · index 29%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 59%	33 · index 31%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index 59%	44 · index 36%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 71%	20 · index 33%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	26 · index 48%	None
Non-ducted, 2 tons	5 · index 36%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	8 · index 32%	None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 38%	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	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GLSI24RPG4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217048762	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YD2436GCSI18RDwith ducted air handler DC024GCSICDHRT2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217048497	70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RD18AY24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY2417STANM and furnace S962V0603A17M42 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217906632
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	49.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217048773	78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RD18AY36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY3621MTANM and furnace S801V0504A17UHS2 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 216892076
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMSI20RUGwith ducted air handler RB048GMSILDFHG4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218010994	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY4821SEAAM and furnace S802V0754A17DZ4 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 216051255
Ducted, 5 tons and up	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PRD-60HWD1N10-M18G1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216684003	None on this board (0 of 20 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN018GMSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit FB018GMSILDFHG21 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 218010990	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GLSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit CT024GLSILCFHG2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217048761	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	62.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN036GMSI20RUGwith ductless indoor unit CB036GMSILDFHG3 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218010991	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	55.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN048GMSI20RUGwith ductless indoor unit CB048GMSILDFHG3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218010992	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	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YN020GLSI24M2G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048772	38.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler RF2TY2421STANS2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216533447
Ducted, 2 tons	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)YD2436GCSI18RDwith ducted air handler DC024GCSICDHRT2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048497	74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP19AY24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY2421HEAAM and furnace S972V0603A17UPS12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218728661
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048773	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler SH2VY3621MTACN19 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217166015
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN050GLSI24M5G4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048775	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SP19AY48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY4821SEAAM and furnace S802V0754A17UH23 of 43 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216051262
Ducted, 5 tons and up	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PRD-60HWD1N10-M18G1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216684003	56.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SP15AY60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2CY6024STANN11 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215415481
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN009GLSI25RPHwith ductless indoor unit WT009GLSI25HLH26 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048754	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	56.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN024GLSI24RPGwith ductless indoor unit CT024GLSILCFHG5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048761	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN030GLSI24M3G8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048769	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)YN050GLSI24M5G3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048771	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 99% · 2.51YN012GMSI24RPGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 2.40RD16AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 92% · 106%YN009GLSI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 88% · 97%SP19AY60AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 97% · 13.5YN018GMSI24RPGNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 86% · 10.0SP19AY48AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 22.0YN030GLSI24M3GDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 21.0SP19AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 93% · 13.3YD2436GCSI18RDDucted, 2 tons	beats 96% · 13.0RD18AY36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 90% · 17,800 Btu/hYN018GLSI25RPHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 53,000 Btu/hSP19AY60AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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Pioneer vs RUSSELL heat pumps