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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, up to 1.5 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. 1MOX430-15HFN10-M1Hwith ducted air handler MSEPC-15HRFN10-M1HMidea (sold as MDV)1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%27.0
  2. 2A-ZHP15SA-1with ducted air handler B-ZHP15SA-1Lennox (sold as Comfort Aire)1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%27.0
  3. 3GWH18AVEXF-D6DNA1A/Owith ducted air handler GFH(18)DB-D6DN***/IGreeAlso sold as Kinghome KW18XQ29SDO, Tosot TW18HAY32A1DO, Tosot TW18HAY32A1DOC, Tosot TWH18AD32AO and 1 more; also listed as GWH18AVEXF-D6DNA1B/O1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%24.5
  4. 4SAP18HP230V1R32AOwith ducted air handler DUC18HP230V1R32AHGree1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%24.0
  5. 5TWH12PD32AOwith ducted air handler TEH12D32AIGree (sold as Tosot)1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%23.0
  6. 6GWH18AUDXF-D6DNA1A/Owith ducted air handler GFH(18)DB-D6DN***/IGreeAlso sold as Tosot TAVCI7H4R18, Kinghome KW18XQ25SDO, Tosot TW18HP32A2DOC, Tosot TW18HP32A2DO and 3 more; also listed as ENV18HP230V1R32AO, VIR18HP230V1R32AO, GWH18AGDXF-D6DNA4B/O, GS18HP230V1PUO and 1 more1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%22.5
  7. 7BXS4Z18UC0with ducted air handler BXAFZ18CDHBlueRidge1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%22.5
  8. 8GWH09AVDXE-D6DNA1A/Owith ducted air handler GFH(09)DA-D6DN***/IGreeAlso sold as Kinghome KW09XQ29SDO, Tosot TW09HAY32A1DO, Tosot TW09HAY32A1DOC, Kinghome KW09XQ29S1DO and 1 more; also listed as SAP09HP230V1R32AO, GWH09AVDXE-D6DNA1B/O1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%22.3
  9. 9GWH09AUCXD-D6DNA1C/Owith ducted air handler GFH(09)DA-D6DN***/IGreeAlso sold as Tosot TAVCI7H4R09, Kinghome KW09XQ25SDO, Tosot TW09HP32A2DOC, Tosot TW09HP32A2DO and 2 more; also listed as ENV09HP230V1R32AO, VIR09HP230V1R32AO, GWH09AGCXD-D6DNA4D/O, GS09HP230V1CLO1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%22.0
  10. 10SAP12HP230V1R32AOwith ducted air handler DUC12HP230V1R32AHGree1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%22.0

Every ducted, up to 1.5 tons model, highest first

Top cold-climate picks, ducted up to 1.5 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, up to 1.5 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
    1.90+
    Great
    2.10+
    Top 10%
    2.32+
  • HSPF2

    Winter-long heating efficiency

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

    Good
    9.2+
    Great
    10.0+
    Top 10%
    10.6+
  • SEER2

    Summer-long cooling efficiency

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

    Good
    16.0+
    Great
    19.7+
    Top 10%
    20.5+

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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