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UTL vs VKIN: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical UTL model beats 63% and a typical VKIN model 60%. UTL rates slightly higher overall.

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

UTL

63%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

26 models listed

VKIN

60%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

26 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°FUTL: Beats 80%VKIN: Beats 57%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FUTL: Beats 59%VKIN: Beats 55%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2UTL: Beats 75%VKIN: Beats 60%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2UTL: Beats 69%VKIN: Beats 72%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2UTL: Beats 42%VKIN: Beats 54%

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

    UTL
    89%
    VKIN
    96%

  • Xcel CC

    UTL
    85%
    VKIN
    92%

  • CEE Advanced

    UTL
    12%
    VKIN
    4%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    UTL
    100%
    VKIN
    89%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

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

UTL

  1. 1UCHA-48HDCTwith ducted air handler UCHA-48HDCUTLAlso listed as UCHA-48HDCTN24 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    68.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 63
  2. 2UCHA-48HDCSN4with ducted air handler UCHA-48HDCN4UTLAlso listed as UCHA-48HDCSN24 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 76.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    67.4score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 58
  3. 3UCHA-48HDCTRN2with ducted air handler UCHA-48HDCALN2UTL4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    16.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    64.8score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 50

VKIN

  1. 1UCHA-48HDCTwith ducted air handler UCHA-48HDCVKIN4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    68.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 63
  2. 2URHT-42FM5N4VKIN3.5 tons · 41,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 52.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.5score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 83
  3. 3UCHA-48HDCSN4with ducted air handler UCHA-48HDCN4VKIN4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 76.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    67.4score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 58

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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