Top cold-climate picks: ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F. COP at 5°F alone is not used: it is measured at whatever heat output the unit delivers at 5°F, so a unit with little output there can still post a high COP. The single-rating boards remain, each labelled as ranked by that one rating. Only manufacturers with a QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file are ranked.
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Top cold-climate picks: Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
1,053 of 2,190 models in this size class qualify. 850 keep less than 70% of their heat at 5°F and 287 have no 5°F heat output rating, so they cannot show it. 547 of the qualifiers are from manufacturers with a QMID on file (the ranked pool).
| # · Outdoor model | Manufacturer | Size · type | Cap. 5/47 | COP@5°F | HSPF2 | Btu/h @5°F | SEER2 | EER2 | Meets | Combos | AHRI ref. | Score | Beats on Cap. 5/47 | Beats on COP@5°F | Beats on HSPF2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1RD18AY36AJVCRHEEMwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M36FJ | Rheem | 2.5 tons30,800 Btu/h · Ducted | 109% | 2.86 | 10.0 | 34,800 | 19.0 | 13.0 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 1,135 | 218029736 | 94.4 | 99% | 99% | 86% |
| 2SL22KLV-036-230A**LENNOX · DAVE LENNOX SIGNATURE SL22KLV SERIESwith ducted air handler CBK48MVT-060-230- | Lennox | 3 tons35,200 Btu/h · Ducted | 102% | 2.42 | 10.5 | 33,200 | 20.0 | 13.0 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 182 | 216776011 | 93.4 | 92% | 91% | 97% |
| 3HH836E2S11COLEMANwith indoor coil D(A,C,E)36A4K+TDR and furnace Z9ET080C16SMPS1 | York | 2.5 tons30,800 Btu/h · Ducted | 106% | 2.93 | 9.5 | 33,400 | 18.9 | 10.5 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 8,200 | 218350129 | 92.3 | 99% | 99% | 79% |
| 4MOE30-36HFN10-M3XMDV · MVB Serieswith ducted air handler MVBDM-36HWFN10-WC3 | Midea | 3 tons36,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 100% | 2.46 | 10.0 | 36,000 | 18.0 | 12.0 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 1 | 216967947 | 88.8 | 89% | 92% | 86% |
| 5PUZ-AK30NLHZ2***Mitsubishi Electric · P serieswith ducted air handler PVA-AA30NL | Mitsubishi Electric | 2.5 tons30,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 100% | 2.30 | 10.1 | 32,000 | 21.0 | 13.5 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 9 | 218697041 | 88.7 | 89% | 89% | 89% |
| 6DH9VSA361CA*DAIKIN · DH9VSAwith ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CA | Daikin | 3 tons34,200 Btu/h · Ducted | 100% | 2.40 | 10.0 | 34,200 | 21.0 | 12.0 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 35 | 216699792 | 88.5 | 89% | 91% | 86% |
| 7NS21H36MA5-**AGEwith indoor coil D(A,C,E)36C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U045S3A | GE Appliances | 2.5 tons31,400 Btu/h · Ducted | 93% | 4.00 | 10.0 | 30,400 | 19.0 | 11.2 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 143 | 218792658 | 88.0 | 78% | 100% | 86% |
| 8AUWR-36U3TW5HISENSE · Hi-PRO HDwith ducted air handler AUH-36UX3TDH3Also listed as AUWR-3624P, AOH-36U3T24P | Hisense | 2.5 tons32,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 97% | 2.15 | 10.5 | 31,000 | 19.5 | 11.7 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 12 | 214802097 | 87.9 | 85% | 82% | 97% |
| 9ZRUM036GSS0LG · ZRUM036GSS0 | LG | 3 tons36,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 100% | 2.20 | 10.1 | 42,000 | 17.0 | 13.5 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 3 | 214914952 | 87.4 | 89% | 85% | 89% |
| 10KUMXA361ALG · KUMXA361A | LG | 3 tons36,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 100% | 2.25 | 10.0 | 45,000 | 19.0 | 13.5 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 3 | 215402346 | 87.1 | 89% | 87% | 86% |