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PRIME vs TEMP SHIFT: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical PRIME model beats 20% and a typical TEMP SHIFT model 66%. TEMP SHIFT rates higher overall.

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

PRIME

20%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

18 models listed

TEMP SHIFT

66%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

19 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°FPRIME: Beats 44%TEMP SHIFT: Beats 52%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FPRIME: Beats 15%TEMP SHIFT: Beats 79%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2PRIME: Beats 21%TEMP SHIFT: Beats 79%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2PRIME: Beats 18%TEMP SHIFT: Beats 61%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2PRIME: Beats 32%TEMP SHIFT: Beats 62%

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

    PRIME
    11%
    TEMP SHIFT
    95%

  • Xcel CC

    PRIME
    11%
    TEMP SHIFT
    90%

  • CEE Advanced

    PRIME
    0%
    TEMP SHIFT
    5%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    PRIME
    0%
    TEMP SHIFT
    0%

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). What size is my system?

PRIME

None of PRIME’s ducted, 2.5–3 tons models has all five ratings.

TEMP SHIFT

  1. 1TSMZHH365Z2R5TEMP SHIFT3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2TSMZHH274Z2R5TEMP SHIFT2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 82
  3. 3TSHCHH362R5with ducted air handler TSAHU36R5ETEMP SHIFT3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.4 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.3score / 100Heating 73 · 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.

Open the advanced view