Heat Pumps

If you’ve been shopping around for a new heat pump, you’ve likely noticed that heat pumps are a dime a dozen. But which one is best and how can you tell which brand is
trustworthy?

While there are plenty of high-quality heat pumps on the market, a few stand out as the best of the bunch for a few reasons.

We get it, there are so many options out there! But don’t sweat it. After years of installing heat pumps for homeowners around the Los Angeles area, it’s clear that there are wide gaps between heat pumps. We can help you identify these gaps so you can make the best decision for your home.

The main factor driving these gaps between heat pump brands are efficiency, additional features, warranty, and cost. The top brands excel in each of these categories, while others lag behind.

Five of the best heat pump brands are:

Let’s take a look at some of our top picks for the best heat pump brands in 2024 to help you find the right fit for your home before jumping into how we rated these brands. Ready? Let’s jump in!

 

The 5 Best Heat Pump Brands

1. Mitsubishi

While you may be familiar with the brand’s cars, Mitsubishi created the ductless mini-split in 1959. With so much experience, Mitsubishi is credited as one of the most reliable heat pumps on the market.

Efficiency

  • 33.1 SEER: This is the peak efficiency rating of all brands, commanding a sturdy lead when it comes to its top models. You can only expect this performance when paired with certain Mitsubishi indoor air handlers.
  • 12.5 HSPF: Mitsubishi earns the second-highest HSPF on top models of the brands listed.

Additional Features

  • Kumo cloud compatibility: Some Mitsubishi heat pumps feature kumo cloud, an application that can control your system via phone. Kumo cloud gives you plenty of settings to play around with and is helpful in reducing energy waste and saving on bills.
  • Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant: Smart Mitsubishi models are compatible with two of the top virtual assistants on the market, giving you additional flexibility depending on your preference.
  • Anti-allergen filters: These filters can provide greater protection and give allergy sufferers a bit of a break compared to traditional filters.
  • Dual-barrier coating: If you plan on running a dustless mini-split that uses indoor air handlers, Mitsubishi’s proprietary dual barrier tech protects against dirt and dust to promote better air quality and less maintenance.

Warranty

  • 1 to 5-year warranty on parts
  • Easily the weakest warranty on the list when it comes to parts, Mitsubishi struggles to keep up with the pack.
  • Must register within 90 days.
  • No labor included.
  • 7-year warranty on compressors
  • Similarly, Mitsubishi stumbles when it comes to the compressor warranty as well. Efficiency can really offset this pitfall, depending on your priorities, though.
  • Must register within 90 days.
  • No labor included.

Cost to Install

  • $3,000 and up but can quickly inflate to $15,000.
  • Cost depends on models, home requirements, and installers.

Pros

  • High-efficiency models
  • Dual-barrier coating
  • Anti-allergen filters
  • Whisper quiet operation

Cons

  • Weaker warranty than standard air conditioners
  • Can be expensive depending on multiple factors

 

2. Lennox

After 125 years of operation, Lennox has proven it has staying power. Some of the company’s longevity stems from its forward-thinking mindset, reflected in its wide-sweeping Energy Start qualification, a program backed by the United States government that certifies energy-efficient products.

Efficiency

  • 24 SEER: Tied for the second place in SEER ratings, Lennox isn’t too far behind Mitsubishi.
  • 11.8 HSPF: Likewise, Lennox makes an admirable stride in the heating efficiency department in third position.

Additional Features

  • Quantum Coil: Quantum Coil technology uses a proprietary all-aluminum alloy that protects against corrosion and weighs a fraction of copper alternatives, providing greater longevity. This means less maintenance overall.
  • Precise Comfort: This technology uses small, incremental adjustments to ensure your heat pump isn’t operating out of bounds concerning your home’s needs and its energy consumption.
  • Trane Home App: Using this app, you get greater control over your system wherever you are.
  • The Home app allows users to set up heating and cooling plans to get the most out of their system while on the go.
  • Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant: Like Mitsubishi, the inclusion of both virtual assistants is a big bonus that gives users options.

Warranty

  • 10-year parts and compressor warranty: This is the top tier when it comes to warranties in terms of length. Parts can take a while to get a hold of since Lennox uses proprietary components. Luckily, the included labor warranty eases the sting of potentially longer wait times.
  • 5-year warranty on some models upgradeable to a 10-year warranty: Some models allow owners to upgrade their warranties to a 10-year plan with registration.
  • 3-year labor warranty: The rarest gem of them all, labor coverage is hard to come by, which makes Lennox stand out among the crowd.

Cost to Install

  • $4,000 and up to install: Cost, again, will depend on who is installing your heat pump and what they charge for installation service. It’s a bit pricier than Mitsubishi, but the warranty helps level the playing field.

Pros

  • High-efficiency models
  • Quantum Coil adds reliability
  • Precise Comfort
  • Flexible warranties
  • Warranty includes labor
  • Energy Star qualifications

Cons

  • Parts are sometimes difficult to come by

3. Goodman

Goodman has only been in the HVAC game since 1975 and doesn’t boast the same brand recognition as other brands on the list. But one thing Goodman does come through on is being a brand with a solid pricing model if you’re on a tighter budget.

Efficiency

  • 21 SEER: Goodman isn’t winning any prizes in the efficiency department. But the company’s higher-end models still offer well-above-average performance.
  • 10 HSPF: Landing at the bottom of the bunch in terms of heating efficiency, Goodman still maintains above-average performance while balancing a lower cost to install.

Additional Features

  • ComfortBridge: This feature nets you greater efficiency by gathering data from your home to optimize your heating and cooling experience to help save money.

Warranty

  • 10-year replacement warranty
  • Like Lennox warranties, Goodman’s coverage is a cut above in terms of length.
  • Labor not included.
  • Lifetime compressor warranty
  • Goodman has one of the most solid warranties when it comes to compressors, surpassing every other option listed here.
  • No labor included.
  • Must register within 60 days.
  • 10-year parts limited warranty
  • No labor included.
  • Must register within 60 days.

Cost to Install

  • $3,000 to $8,000 to install.
  • This range may begin at the same starting point as a Mitsubishi, but it comes well under the competition’s maximum cost if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly.

Pros

  • Range of efficiency ratings
  • ComfortBridge technology
  • Strong 10-year warranty
  • Lowest cost to install
  • Energy Star partner

Cons

  • Lower top efficiency rating
  • Lesser feature set

 

4. Carrier

Carrier is one of the most recognizable brands in air conditioning, and with good reason. Willis Carrier, the founder of the company, invented air conditioning in 1902. The brand built itself on the back of this accomplishment for decades.

Efficiency

  • 24 SEER: Carrier’s heat pumps still don’t impress as much as Mitsubishi, but its top-tier models still sit high in terms of efficiency.
  • 13 HSPF: Goodman sits the lowest on the list for maximum heating efficiency, with Trane sitting just above in fourth.

Additional Features

  • Infinity Control: Models with Infinity Control compatibility offer you greater control over your home’s temperature, humidity, zoning, and air quality in the palm of your hand.
  • Greenspeed: Greenspeed is available on Infinity Control systems. This technology ensures that homeowners get the performance from their heat pump but quietly.
  • Amazon Alexa: While it may not offer the flexibility of choice when it comes to virtual assistants like Mitsubishi and Lennox, Infinity Control systems still offer a modern way to control your system.
  • Silencer System II: Carrier’s Silencer System II is a sound blanket that is wrapped around the compressor to take the sound down a notch.

Warranty

  • 10-year parts warranty
  • Carrier’s warranty may not be as ironclad as Lennox’s, but it surpasses Mitsubishi by quite a stretch, which adds to the sense of peace of mind surrounding your investment.
  • Register within 90 days.
  • No labor included.
  • 10-year compressor warranty
  • Register within 90 days.
  • No labor included.
  • 5-year warranty for subsequent owners

Cost to Install

  • $3,000 and $15,000 to install.
  • Similar to Mitsubishi, you can expect a large range of prices when it comes to the cost of installation. Again, this depends on which model you choose and who is installing it.

Pros

  • High-efficiency models
  • Infinity System Control
  • Greenspeed Technology
  • 10-year warranty
  • Energy Star Qualified

Cons

  • Can be expensive depending on multiple factors
  • Fewer models

 

5. Trane

Trane was formed in 1913 and has moved on to create reliable products to differentiate itself from its competitors. After 120 years in the game, Trane has become one of the best-known brands in heating and cooling.

Efficiency

  • 20 SEER: Trane holds the lowest position of the five best heat pump brands but still offers high-efficiency models to get the job done.
  • 12 HSPF: Unlike its SEER ratings, Trane’s HSPF ratings avoid the bottom slot, which is owned by Goodman.

Additional Features

  • All-aluminum Spine Fin coil design: Trane’s all-aluminum Spine Fin coil design increases heat transfer, leading to greater efficiency, and is more resilient than copper alternatives.
  • Claim to fame: Trane created variable speed technology, which enhances efficiency by running the heat pump at different speeds depending on the cooling demands of your home. Variable speed technology is featured in the other brands listed, but Trane earns points for trustworthiness, having created and iterated on its design.

Warranty

  • 5-year base warranty
  • Includes five years of select parts warranty
  • No labor included.
  • Must register within 90 days.
  • 10-year registered warranty
  • Includes 10 years of parts coverage
  • No labor included.
  • Must register within 90 days.

Cost to Install

  • $4,000 and $14,000 to install.
  • Of course, prices will vary depending on labor, model, and home factors.

Pros

  • Higher than average efficiency rating
  • Durable
  • Spine Fin design
  • TruComfort
  • Flexible warranty coverage

Cons

  • Higher cost to install
  • Lower efficiency overall

 

Factors that Make the Best Heat Pump Brands

Looking at the factors that make the best heat pump brands can lead us into some pretty technical territory. But don’t worry, if you stick with us, we promise you’ll be ready to hit the show floor with a strong knowledge base and confidence to go toe-to-toe with even the most aggressive salesperson.

Starting with arguably the most important factor, check out how efficiency ranges plays a key role in determining the best brands.

 

Efficiency

Efficiency is measured in a couple of ways for heat pumps. For cooling, we look at the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), and for heating, we judge the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF).

SEER ratings measure the ratio between the cooling output and energy input of an air conditioner or heat pump. Basically, this determines how much energy the device uses, or more plainly, how much it will cost you to run during a cooling season like summer.

SEER ratings run from a minimum of 13 to a more efficient 21 in most cases. But you’ll find plenty of high-efficiency models that outpace those values. Some are even on this list!

When you see a SEER rating, that is the maximum efficiency of that specific model.

HSPF ratings gauge the heating efficiency over the course of a heating season, which would be fall or winter. The minimum HSPF rating is 8.8, with 9 and 10 being considered on the lower high end of the range.

A higher HSPF, like a SEER rating, indicates better efficiency.

Today, we’ll be gauging brands based on their maximum efficiency ratings to see which ones are leading the pack.

But efficiency isn’t the only aspect of a heat pump to consider. You’ll also need to weigh the additional features.

 

Additional Features

As the world gets smarter with new tech dropping by the bucket, heat pumps have also followed suit. While there’s nothing wrong with going the traditional route and foregoing the modern comforts of a system that has app and smart thermostat support, these features aren’t going anywhere and can add value to your home.

Having control over your home while you’re home and away can make it easier to dial in your system’s efficiency and save on energy bills. It’s a more modern feature but has proven to be valuable for many homeowners looking to save energy and money.

Other additional features can include proprietary designs that promote efficiency in the form of better heat transfer, while some may be variable speed technology that works smarter and not harder to cool your home.

How important these features are will boil down to what you want out of your home’s heating and cooling.

A more objective factor that plays a role in determining the best brands is the strength of their respective warranties.

 

Warranty

Look, nobody enjoys when things break down, let alone when you have to pay for them on your dime. That said, the best heat pump brands have solid warranties that have you covered for years to come. Just don’t expect any labor in most cases.

For those brands without ironclad warranties, other factors like higher-than-average efficiency can counteract the flimsy warranty.

But what most people really care about is the price. How much are you going to have to invest to get the heating and cooling performance you need?

 

Cost to Install

These smart features and high-efficiency ratings are great and all, but how much is it going to cost me? Yeah, that’s the question on everyone’s mind when shopping for any HVAC component like a heat pump.

While cost is an unavoidable pitfall of installing a heat pump in your home, not every brand requires the same outlay of cash. In fact, it’s pretty difficult to tell you exactly how much an installation will cost you.

For every brand, you’ll need to consider the cost of the unit and the installation cost. Are you planning on running ductwork? Maybe you’re going the ductless route. Either way, these variables make it hard to give an outright number.

Your best bet is to pursue a quote from a highly-rated installer in your area. It doesn’t hurt to look up other factors that play a role in how much an HVAC system costs to install, either.

 

Which Heat Pump is Best for You?

We’ve touched on everything from warranties to efficiency to give you a better idea of what are the best heat pump brands for 2022. Now, you’ll be able to shop around confidently while knowing what qualities the best heat pump should so you can navigate the wealth of options more efficiently.

Having installed and serviced HVAC systems across the Los Angeles area, we understand that finding the right fit for your home is a top priority. You may not be able to secure your desired brand with every installer, but be sure to shop around and make compromises when necessary.

If you need help deciding on the right heat pump for your home, call us at (818) 213-1773 or visit our HVAC services page to book a consultation with a technician. Calling out a technician, even if it isn’t one of ours, is the best way to ensure you get a heat pump that suits your home.

If you’re just researching at this point, check which HVAC system is best for you to help determine your home’s needs. Since many of the brands listed offer additional connectivity through apps, be sure to read up on the best smart thermostats of 2024.

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