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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 49% and a typical THERMAL ZONE model 43%. RUSSELL rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

RUSSELL

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

60 models listed

THERMAL ZONE

43%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

88 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 80%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 68%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FRUSSELL: Beats 43%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 37%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2RUSSELL: Beats 25%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 31%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2RUSSELL: Beats 32%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 26%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2RUSSELL: Beats 42%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 36%

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
    17%
    THERMAL ZONE
    13%

  • Xcel CC

    RUSSELL
    13%
    THERMAL ZONE
    7%

  • CEE Advanced

    RUSSELL
    3%
    THERMAL ZONE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    RUSSELL
    22%
    THERMAL ZONE
    22%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V1005A21M4SRUSSELL3.5 tons · 44,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    76.3score / 100
  2. 2SP18AZ60AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace S962V0705A21M4SRUSSELL4.5 tons · 52,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    71.7score / 100
  3. 3RD17AZ48AJ3Nwith indoor coil TCFZ6024SEANM and furnace S921V1005A21M4SRUSSELL4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 84% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    84% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    69.4score / 100

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZPLV482PAwith ducted air handler TZHVLE4821JATHERMAL ZONE4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    73.8score / 100
  2. 2TZPLV602PAwith ducted air handler TZHVLE6024JATHERMAL ZONE4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    71.3score / 100

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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