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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

Top 10 by summer-long cooling efficiency only: ducted, 5 tons and up

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. 127VNA060A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UICarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 290VAN060**AA, Airquest B5H0V60*K*AAA5 tons · 57,500 Btu/h · DuctedGreat20.0
  2. 2H5H0V60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCONCarrier (sold as HEIL)Also sold as Comfortmaker C5H0V60*K*AAA, Kenmore (C,H,T)5H0V60*K*AAA, Tempstar T5H0V60*K*AAA5 tons · 57,500 Btu/h · DuctedGreat20.0
  3. 327VNA360A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UICarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN060**AA, HEIL B5H3V60*K*AAA5 tons · 58,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%20.0
  4. 4H5H3V60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCONCarrier (sold as HEIL)Also sold as Comfortmaker C5H3V60*K*AAA, Kenmore (C,H,T)5H3V60*K*AAA, Tempstar T5H3V60*K*AAA5 tons · 58,000 Btu/h · DuctedGreat20.0
  5. 5AUWR-60U3TH5with ducted air handler AUH-60UX3TEH3Hisense5 tons · 57,000 Btu/h · DuctedGreat19.0
  6. 6AUWR-6024Pwith ducted air handler AUH-6024HisenseAlso listed as AOH-60U3T24P5 tons · 57,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%19.0
  7. 7MRD-60HWD1N10-M18GMideaAlso listed as MRD-60HWD1N10-M18GB5 tons · 57,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%19.0
  8. 8BPBA-60RCB-M18SBoschAlso listed as BPBB-60RTB-M18S5 tons · 57,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%19.0
  9. 9AM060FCMDCG1Samsung5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%19.0
  10. 10VPD060H6M-5PLennox5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%19.0

Every ducted, 5 tons and up model, highest first

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 5 tons and up

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, 5 tons and up

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%
    2.20+
  • HSPF2

    Winter-long heating efficiency

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

    Good
    7.2+
    Great
    9.0+
    Top 10%
    9.5+
  • SEER2

    Summer-long cooling efficiency

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

    Good
    15.8+
    Great
    17.0+
    Top 10%
    18.0+

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.

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