The Heat Pump Tax Credit Is Gone—But These 2 Models Are Still Worth It
The high-efficiency equipment will also make your home more comfortable.
Heat pumps no longer qualify for a $2,000 federal tax credit, after it expired at the end of 2025. But our experts in the Good Housekeeping Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab still recommend the technology for anyone looking to update their home’s heating and cooling system.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Trane 20 TruComfort Variable Speed Heat Pump with WeatherGuard
- Best value: York YH2F 1 & 2-Stage Heat Pump
That’s because installing a heat pump is one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your house (the same system delivers both hot and cold air, eliminating the need for a furnace or boiler and a separate central AC unit). Compared with traditional HVAC equipment, they also make the home more comfortable with consistent temperature and quiet operation. That’s particularly true with the Trane 20 TruComfort Variable Speed Heat Pump with WeatherGuard, our top-tested model.
You’ll pay more upfront for a heat pump, even with its two-for-one heating and cooling capabilities. But many states and utilities have stepped up with generous rebates, which you can find through the Database of State Incentives.
Pros
- Exceptional temperature control
- Maximum efficiency
- Remote monitoring and operation through the Trane smart phone app
Cons
- Steep upfront cost
Why we love it:
The TruComfort Variable Speed Heat Pump carries the Good Housekeeping Seal on the strength of its innovative design and Trane’s stellar reputation for quality and reliability. The heat pump is top of the line, with a price tag to match, but if there's room in the budget, our experts say it should deliver decades of precision heating and cooling.
Why it’s our top performer
The “variable speed” element of the TruComfort 20 means the unit automatically detects changes in exterior temperature and speeds up or slows down as needed to keep your home within half a degree of your preset temperature. Translation? Perfect indoor climate all year long.
The variable-speed technology also makes the unit suitable to cold climates, eliminating a shortcoming of early-generation heat pumps, which sometimes would conk out (or become a lot less efficient) in freezing weather. Based on our analysis, the TruComfort 20 should provide 100% heating capacity down to 32° F, and 70% capacity when the thermometer dips as low as 5° F.
Its extremely energy efficient
With a SEER2 Rating of up to 22.4 and an HSPF2 Rating of up to 10.5, the TruComfort 20 ranks among the most energy efficient heat pumps around. Our experts also like that the latest version uses a new refrigerant known as R-454B, which boasts a Global Warming Potential (GWP) 78% lower than those of its predecessors, according to Trane.
What testers say
Our home experts oversaw the installation of the TruComfort 20 heat pump at a home in New York. The system has delivered constant and consistent heat through four heating seasons, even during frigid weather. “It is saving us a couple hundred dollars per year in heating costs,” the homeowner told us.
Trane's Home mobile app, meanwhile, provides peace of mind and added savings, the tester said, “since it means we can monitor and adjust the heating and cooling system remotely.”
Pros
- Excellent price
- Can be paired with existing furnace to create hybrid system
- Durable design and construction
Cons
- Not suited to very cold climates, unless paired with a gas furnace
Why we love it
York’s 1- and 2-stage heat pumps allow homeowners to gain the benefits of the technology, without going to the expense of a variable-speed unit. The most affordable 1-stage configuration means the system is either on or off, while 2-stage units add a “low” and “high” mode for enhanced temperature control. York is another reputable brand in the heating and cooling category, with a track record that goes back more than a century.
Great versatility for the price
Due to their relatively simply mechanics, York’s 1- and 2-stage heat pumps can replace the home’s entire heating and cooling system, or they can be paired with an existing gas furnace for a dual-fuel comfort system. That hybrid versatility is appealing in very cold climates, since it allows homeowners to use their gas furnace during frigid conditions and the heat pump the rest of the time.
Not the most efficient, but it can still help you save
These are the least energy efficient heat pumps evaluated by our team, with SEER2 Ratings of up to 16.0 and HSPF2 Ratings of up to 8.1. But that still could lower your annual heating and cooling costs by hundreds, if not thousands of dollars every year, depending on the type and condition of your current equipment.
What testers say
Durable construction and high-quality materials should help deliver reliable performance over the long haul. “Thanks to various sound containment technologies, York’s YH2F heat pumps are also relatively quiet, especially for the cost," noted a GH Lab engineer.
How we test the best heat pumps
Our engineers and product experts in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab continuously track the residential HVAC market to identify the top-selling heat pumps available to consumers. From there, we identify brands that have performed the best and proven the most reliable through years of testing heating and cooling equipment at the Good Housekeeping Institute. We also consider newer brands with unique features or innovations.
Hands-on evaluation for this report started in the Lab, where our team spent more than 50 hours testing and reviewing 15 new models and analyzing scores of technical data, including factors like efficiency ratings and temperature performance.
We also worked with outside experts in the field, to capture insights on everything from installation to usability in real-life conditions. Installing heat pumps in homes also allows us to measure performance and durability over time, as well as better understand maintenance requirements.
What to look for in the best heat pump
Once you've determined that a heat pump makes sense for your home, here's how to find the best system for you in today's ever-growing market.
✔️ Size: As with traditional HVAC equipment, it’s important to size the system properly to ensure the best performance and efficiency. Heat pump size (a.k.a. “capacity”) is measured in tons, with 1 ton being equal to 12,000 British thermal units per hour (Btu/hr.). Smaller heat pumps start at 2 tons and the biggest top out at 5 tons. Your home’s square footage is a key factor here, but things like insulation and air sealing also play a role, so it’s important to have a load calculation done by a certified professional to determine what size heat pump is right for you.
✔️ Efficiency: Though all heat pumps are energy efficient, some are more so than others. In cooling mode, the spec to look for is SEER2 (short for Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Rating), while heating efficiency is measured by HSPF2 (short for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). In both cases, the higher the number, the more efficient the heat pump. SEER2 ratings for heat pumps range from 13 to 25, while HSPF2 ratings range from 7 to 13. Highest efficiency units cost more, but you'll make up the difference over time through lower utility bills.
✔️ Compressor design: The compressor is the engine of the heat pump. Basic models are single speed, meaning the compressor is either on or off (think of a refrigerator, with its compressor cycling on and off throughout the day). The latest technology is variable-speed, in which the compressor runs constantly, making tiny adjustments to maintain precise temperature levels. Besides delivering optimal comfort and efficiency, variable speed compressors are extremely quiet, since they’re not constantly powering on and off.
✔️ Temperature performance: While the latest heat pump technology can withstand extreme climate conditions, not all models have the necessary upgrades, which include refrigerants with a lower boiling point and advanced compressors. Standard models without these features still struggle when outside temperatures dip below 25° F. If you live in a region with harsh winters, look for a heat pump that’s Energy Star-certified with an added cold-climate certification. Manufacturers might also include temperature-related language in their specs, for example, “100% heating capacity at –5°F and 70% to 81% heating capacity at –13°F.” Cold-climate heat pumps (CCHPs) cost more, but they will pay for themselves over time in the form of even lower energy bills.
✔️ Connectivity: Because heat pumps are an innovative category, many systems feature Wi-Fi-connectivity with advanced programming and features through a companion app. This allows you to monitor and operate the system remotely, for example, turning off the heat or AC if you forgot to do so before an extended vacation. In some cases, you can also give your service technician access to the app so that they can monitor the maintenance schedule and be on the lookout for any unusual activity, say, sudden temperature fluctuations.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Dan DiClerico has covered the renewable energy market for more than 25 years, working closely with agencies like the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as well as leading brands in the alternative energy space. He also keeps up with the latest innovations by attending trade shows and industry events. Since joining the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022, DiClerico has overseen the testing and evaluation of any alternative energy equipment that passes through the Lab, including heat pumps and other high-efficiency systems for the home. He also run our annual Home Renovation Awards, which surfaces many of the latest innovations in energy efficiency.
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