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Ranked by summer-long cooling efficiency only

Cooling efficiency over a whole summer, measured with a federal test. Like miles per gallon for cooling: higher means more cooling per unit of electricity over the test season. The federal minimum for a new split heat pump is 14.3. 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, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Top 10 by summer-long cooling efficiency only: ducted, 3.5–4.5 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. 127VNA348A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UICarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN048**AA, HEIL H5H3V48*K*AAA, Comfortmaker C5H3V48*K*AAA, Kenmore (C,H,T)5H3V48*K*AAA and 2 more4 tons · 46,500 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%23.0
  2. 2ASUM42HPMULOAUX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%22.0
  3. 3YH960E2C11with ducted air handler CTF60C5CGS1+JMC17C2SN1+CCYorkAlso sold as Coleman XH960E2C11, Kenmore XH960E2C114 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%22.0
  4. 4SL22KLV-060-230A**with indoor coil CK40[C,U]T-60C-**+TDR and furnace SL280UH080NV60CLennox4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%21.1
  5. 527VNA154A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UICarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 291VAN054**AA4.5 tons · 51,500 Btu/h · DuctedGreat21.0
  6. 65TWV0X48A1with indoor coil 5PX*D010AS3 and furnace S9V2D120U5VSB+VCKITTraneAlso sold as American Standard 5A6V0X48A13.5 tons · 44,500 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%20.8
  7. 7D5CMHAH48FAKMideaAlso sold as MDV M6OE31-48HFN10-M1XD, MDV M6OE31-48HFN10-M1X, Bryant 37MGHAQ48FA3, Arcoaire D5CMHAH48FAK; also listed as 37MGHAQ48FA34 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%20.5
  8. 8D5CMRAH48FAKMideaAlso sold as MDV M6OE30-48HFN10-M1D, MDV M6OE30-48HFN10-M1, Bryant 37MGRAQ48FA3, Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK; also listed as 37MGRAQ48FA34 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%20.5
  9. 9SL22KLV-048-230A**with indoor coil CK40[C,U]T-60C-**+TDR and furnace SL280UH080NV60CLennox4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%20.5
  10. 10EL21KLV-048-230A**with ducted air handler CBK48MVT-060-230-LennoxAlso sold as Armstrong Air A7CP21V48P-**A, Ac Pro A7CP21V48P-**A4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedGreat20.5

Every ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons model, highest first

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 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, 3.5–4.5 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.

  • 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
    8.1+
    Great
    9.0+
    Top 10%
    10.4+

  • SEER2

    Summer-long cooling efficiency

    Cooling efficiency over a whole summer, measured with a federal test.

    Good
    15.9+
    Great
    18.0+
    Top 10%
    19.8+

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