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Ranked by heat output at 5°f only

How much heat the unit can deliver when it is 5°F outside, in Btu per hour. Useful for comparing units. Whether it is enough for a particular house takes a load calculation. 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), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

Top 10 by heat output at 5°f 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. 1RP15AY42AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AE*L+CM59A4J+TDRRheem (sold as RUUD)3 tons · 37,600 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%50,000 Btu/h
  2. 2KUMXA361ALG3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%45,000 Btu/h
  3. 35TCV0X48A1with ducted air handler 5TEMCD06AV41+TDRTraneAlso sold as American Standard 5A5V0X48A13 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%45,000 Btu/h
  4. 45A6H7036A1with ducted air handler D(A,C,E)36A4J+TDRTrane (sold as American Standard)2.5 tons · 30,200 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%43,500 Btu/h
  5. 55TWR7036A1with ducted air handler CM36B4J+TDRTrane2.5 tons · 31,200 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%42,500 Btu/h
  6. 6ZRUM036GSS0LG3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%42,000 Btu/h
  7. 7MXZ-SM36NLHZ***Mitsubishi ElectricAlso listed as PUMY-HL36NKMU3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%42,000 Btu/h
  8. 8AVW-36F3DAH2Hisense3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%42,000 Btu/h
  9. 9CHV6-RS36URBMHHCooper&Hunter (sold as Cooper & Hunter)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%42,000 Btu/h
  10. 10MXZ-SM36NLHZ-**Mitsubishi Electric3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedTop 10%42,000 Btu/h

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.

  • 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+

  • SEER2

    Summer-long cooling efficiency

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

    Good
    16.5+
    Great
    18.5+
    Top 10%
    19.4+

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