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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler RF2TY2421STANSRUSSELL1.5 tons · 17,100 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    50% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    38.2score / 100Heating 31 · Cooling 45
  2. 2SP14AY18AJ1Nwith ducted air handler RF2TY2421STANSRUSSELL1.5 tons · 17,100 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    33.9score / 100Heating 23 · Cooling 45

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJTHERMAL ZONE1.5 tons · 16,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.0Meets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.73 (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)
    Good
    57.9score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 45
  2. 2TZID18H520ZCSwith ducted air handler TZID18H520ZAMTHERMAL ZONE1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 62% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    62% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.8 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    43.1score / 100Heating 38 · Cooling 48
  3. 3TZP14AY18AJ1Nwith ducted air handler AE*S+CM24C2J+TDRTHERMAL ZONE1.5 tons · 15,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 56% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    57% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.29 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.3 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    24.1score / 100Heating 37 · Cooling 11

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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