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RUSSELL vs THERMAL ZONE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical RUSSELL model beats 33% and a typical THERMAL ZONE model 30%. RUSSELL rates slightly higher overall.

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

RUSSELL

33%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

111 models listed

THERMAL ZONE

30%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

101 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°FRUSSELL: Beats 37%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FRUSSELL: Beats 21%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 26%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2RUSSELL: Beats 24%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 23%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2RUSSELL: Beats 28%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 24%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2RUSSELL: Beats 36%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 31%

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

    RUSSELL
    11%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

  • Xcel CC

    RUSSELL
    7%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

  • CEE Advanced

    RUSSELL
    0%
    THERMAL ZONE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    RUSSELL
    12%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

All-around best, ducted 2 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP19AY24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFY2421HEAAM and furnace S972V0603A17UPSRUSSELL2 tons · 22,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 54.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    74.3score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 94
  2. 2RD18AY24AJVCwith ducted air handler SH2VY2417STACNRUSSELL2 tons · 21,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    70.2score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 71
  3. 3SP15AY24AJ2Nwith ducted air handler SH2VY2417STACNRUSSELL2 tons · 22,800 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 49% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    48% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    7.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    41.4score / 100Heating 31 · Cooling 52

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZID36H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID24H520ZATHERMAL ZONE2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.4 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.3 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    79.6score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 92
  2. 2TZP15AY24AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJTHERMAL ZONE2 tons · 21,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 75.5Meets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    102% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    56.7score / 100Heating 76 · Cooling 38
  3. 3TZP15AY30AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30CJTHERMAL ZONE2 tons · 26,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 74.1Meets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    102% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.67 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    56.1score / 100Heating 74 · Cooling 38

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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