This is a lot like asking who makes the best car. All major manufacturers produce quality products and what is "under the hood" on most products is surprisingly similar.
One way to compare equipment is by the rated performance. This information is published periodically in the ARI (American Refrigeration Institute) Directory. The following tables list the heating (COP) and cooling (EER) performance data from the most recent directory.
This information addresses only the standard packaged single speed (or single compressor) units of the manufacturers. Many produce other types of equipment of both higher and lower performance. The units listed here are the most widely used models.
From January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2001 ARI Directory package heat pump units only
(WBAHP)
2-Speed unit ratings shown in high speed
| COP | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEATING | Tons: | 2 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 5 |
| Addison VGY/HGY | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.2 | |
| Bard | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 2.7 | |
| Carrier RVR/RVS | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.2 | |
| Carrier RHS/RVS | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 | |
| Carrier Weathermaker GT-X | 3.7 | 3.7 | 4 | 3.3 | ||
| Climate Master Genesis GR | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.2 | |
| Climate Master Genesis Ultra GSV | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 | |
| Climate Master Ultra 2 stg VT | 3.7 | 3.7 | 4 | 3.3 | ||
| Command Aire GSUF_A | 3 | 3.1 | 3 | 2.9 | 3 | |
| Command Aire GSUF_B | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.1 | |
| Command Aire GSHC_A | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 2.8 | |
| Command Aire GSUF_B | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 2.8 | |
| ECONAR DualTek GC/GH/GV | 3.6 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.3 | |
| ECONAR Dual Circuit Q | 3.4 | 3.2 | ||||
| FHP Energy Miser EM | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.2 | |
| FHP Enviro Miser CV | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.2 | ||
| FHP Multi Step GO | 3.7 | 3.4 | ||||
| FHP geothermal GT | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.2 | |
| Heat Controller Comfort Aire HG | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.2 | |
| Hydro Delta Hydro Heat Ext Rng | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.6 | |
| Hydro Delta Hydro Heat MT | 3.4 | 3.2 | ||||
| Mammoth Hydrobank | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.2 | |
| McQuay | 3 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.8 | |
| Millbrook Hydron Module | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | |
| TETCO Inc | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | |
| TRANE GEVA/GEHA | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | |
| TRANE See Cmnd Aire | ||||||
| WaterFurnace Northern Ldr. | 3.2 | 2.9 | ||||
| WaterFurnace Premier | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.5 | |
| WaterFurnace Premier 2 speed | 3.3 | 3.2 | ||||
| EER | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COOLING | Tons: | 2 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 5 |
| Addison VGY/HGY | 15.1 | 14.9 | 14.3 | 14.9 | 14.1 | |
| Bard | 17.5 | 17.5 | 16.5 | 13.4 | 12.5 | |
| Carrier RVR/RVS | 13.3 | 14.7 | 15 | 14.3 | 14.1 | |
| Carrier RHS/RVS | 17.1 | 16.4 | 16 | 16.4 | 14.6 | |
| Carrier Weathermaker GT-X | 17.3 | 16 | 17.3 | 15.83 | ||
| Climate Master Genesis GR | 13.3 | 14.7 | 15 | 14.3 | 14.1 | |
| Climate Master Genesis Ultra GSV | 17.1 | 16.4 | 16 | 16.4 | 14.6 | |
| Climate Master Ultra 2 stg VT | 17.3 | 16 | 17.3 | 15.8 | ||
| Command Aire GSUF_A | 16.1 | 15.5 | 14.4 | 14.4 | 14.8 | |
| Command Aire GSUF_B | 17.4 | 17 | 15.5 | 16.2 | 15.7 | |
| Command Aire GSHC_A | 17.8 | 15.7 | 13.4 | 14.3 | 12.9 | |
| Command Aire GSUF_B | 19.1 | 16.2 | 13.7 | 16 | 13.8 | |
| ECONAR DualTek GC/GH/GV | 15.4 | 14.6 | 14.2 | 13 | 13.1 | |
| ECONAR Dual Circuit Q | 14.8 | 13.3 | ||||
| FHP Energy Miser EM | 15.5 | 15.3 | 13.6 | 13.4 | 14 | |
| FHP Enviro Miser CV | 17.4 | 15.3 | 16.4 | 15 | ||
| FHP Multi Step GO | 16.3 | 14.5 | ||||
| FHP geothermal GT | 16.1 | 16.1 | 15 | 13.4 | 14 | |
| Heat Controller Comfort Aire HG | 15.1 | 14.5 | 14.3 | 14.9 | 14.1 | |
| Hydro Delta Hydro Heat Ext Rng | 14.4 | 15 | 15 | 15.2 | 14.5 | |
| Hydro Delta Hydro Heat MT | 15.4 | 13.2 | ||||
| Mammoth Hydrobank | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14.5 | |
| McQuay | 14.1 | 13.4 | 13.4 | 13 | 12.6 | |
| Millbrook Hydron Module | 13.5 | 13.6 | 13 | 13.1 | 13 | |
| TETCO Inc | 14.1 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 13.5 | 13.3 | |
| TRANE GEVA/GEHA | 13.8 | 14.5 | 13.4 | 13.7 | 13.8 | |
| TRANE See Cmnd Aire | ||||||
| WaterFurnace Northern Ldr. | 17.2 | 14.8 | ||||
| WaterFurnace Premier | 18.9 | 16.9 | 18 | 17 | 16.1 | |
| WaterFurnace Premier 2 speed | 14.8 | 13.4 | ||||