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RUSSELL vs ZERO: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical RUSSELL model beats 49% and a typical ZERO model 49%. They are level.

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

ZERO

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

69 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%ZERO: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FRUSSELL: Beats 43%ZERO: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2RUSSELL: Beats 25%ZERO: Beats 46%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2RUSSELL: Beats 32%ZERO: Beats 53%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2RUSSELL: Beats 42%ZERO: Beats 46%

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%
    ZERO
    59%

  • Xcel CC

    RUSSELL
    13%
    ZERO
    48%

  • CEE Advanced

    RUSSELL
    3%
    ZERO
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    RUSSELL
    22%
    ZERO
    25%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 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, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

RUSSELL

  1. 1SP18AZ36AJVCwith ducted air handler SHMVZ6021SEACARUSSELL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 121% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    121% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    80.6score / 100
  2. 2RD17AZ36AJ3Nwith ducted air handler SH3VZ4821STACNRUSSELL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    64.8score / 100

ZERO

  1. 1Z3SOV-27HDM-USZERO2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.83 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    57.4score / 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.

Open the advanced view