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Ranked by winter-long heating efficiency only

Heating efficiency over a whole winter, measured with a federal test. Like miles per gallon for heating: higher means more heat per unit of electricity over the test season. The federal minimum for a new split heat pump is 7.5. This list ranks by that one rating. For the units that hold up best in the cold overall, see the cold-climate picks.

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Top 10 by winter-long heating efficiency only: ducted, 2.5–3 tons

Ranked by this one rating, not an overall verdict. Every model here is the same size and type, so the numbers compare directly. Higher is better. One certified pairing per model.
  1. 1MWHQ036NC2AA*GE Appliances3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%13.5
  2. 23TXK2224AF00HAATraneAlso listed as 3TXK2236AF00HAA, 3TVHS036SF000AA3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%13.5
  3. 337MBHAQ36AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ36XH3CarrierAlso sold as Midea 37MBHAQ36AA3, Midea D5CLHAH36AAK, MDV MOX630-36HFN10-M2X, Arcoaire D5CLHAH36AAK3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%11.1
  4. 4BZ33-HYP36OUT2-454-G3-Pwith ducted air handler BZ33-DIDU36-454-G3-PBreeze333 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%11.1
  5. 5MO1HU-H36B-2Awith ducted air handler MDHHS-H36B-2AMideaAlso sold as CTMorley MOU-B36LH-23 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%11.1
  6. 6MOS36H2BH0Awith ducted air handler MDH36H2MHWAInnovair3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%11.1
  7. 7BMS36HHUYCwith ducted air handler BMS36HCDBlueRidgeAlso listed as BXL2A36UC03 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%11.1
  8. 8CH-RHP36LCU-230VOwith ducted air handler CH-RS36LCDT-HSCooper&Hunter3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%11.1
  9. 9ML36HP230LCMH-Owith ducted air handler ML36HP230HSDUC-IRheem (sold as Mainline)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%11.1
  10. 10MXZ-SM36NLHZ-**Mitsubishi Electric3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedBelow the middle11.0

Every ducted, 2.5–3 tons model, highest first

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Want this size class’s full distribution and peer percentiles? Switch to Advanced

What good looks like: ducted, 2.5–3 tons

Good is better than half of this size class, great is the top quarter, top is the top 10%. The scale comes from the class’s own ratings.

  • Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F

    Heating power kept at 5°F

    How much of its mild-weather heating power the unit still delivers at 5°F.

    Good
    70%+
    Great
    90%+
    Top 10%
    100%+

  • COP at 5°F

    Efficiency on a 5°F day

    How much heat the unit makes from each unit of electricity when it is 5°F outside.

    Good
    2.00+
    Great
    2.10+
    Top 10%
    2.36+

  • HSPF2

    Winter-long heating efficiency

    Heating efficiency over a whole winter, measured with a federal test.

    Good
    8.3+
    Great
    9.2+
    Top 10%
    10.2+

Next steps

The advanced view adds the all-sizes boards, each qualifier’s peer percentiles, charts of every model in each size class, and the EER2 and heat output boards.

Open the advanced view