MRCOOL O-HH-18-HP-C-230C-O vs ACiQ EZ-18ZPL-HP230B
Ranking criteria: for each brand we picked its single-zone outdoor unit in the 18,000 BTU (1.5 ton) class with the highest certified HSPF2, and show that unit's highest-HSPF2 indoor pairing. Other pairings and models from each brand may rate differently. Data: ENERGY STAR certification records retrieved 2026-10-17. Rankings are calculated from published ratings only. They are not hands-on tests or installations, and noise, price, warranty, installer availability and reliability are not considered (not in the data).
- Heating efficiency: the MRCOOL O-HH-18-HP-C-230C-O pairing has the higher HSPF2 (12.3 vs 11.5).
- Cooling efficiency: the ACiQ EZ-18ZPL-HP230B pairing has the higher SEER2 (22.5 vs 20).
- Cold weather: at 5°F the MRCOOL O-HH-18-HP-C-230C-O pairing is rated for more heat (17,000 vs 12,800 BTU/h).
- Per 1,000 heating full-load hours, the estimated electricity difference is about $4 at the U.S. average rate.
| MRCOOL O-HH-18-HP-C-230C-O | ACiQ EZ-18ZPL-HP230B | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling BTU/h | 16,000 | 18,000 |
| SEER2 | 20 | 22.5 |
| EER2 | 12.5 | 13.7 |
| HSPF2 | 12.3 | 11.5 |
| Heat at 47°F | 19,000 | 18,000 |
| Heat at 17°F | 14,900 | 13,400 |
| Heat at 5°F | 17,000 | 12,800 |
| % of 47°F at 5°F | 89% | 71% |
| COP at 5°F | 1.9 | 2.44 |
| Cold climate | Yes | Yes |
| Refrigerant | R-454B (GWP:470 | Lower GWP) | R-454B (GWP:470 | Lower GWP) |
| Connected | No | No |
| Most Efficient | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor unit (pairing shown) | CASSETTE18HP-230C-O | EZ-18W-MB |
| AHRI ref. | 216032564 | 216980890 |
| Cool kWh/1,000 h (est.) | 800 | 800 |
| Heat kWh/1,000 h (est.) | 1,545 | 1,565 |
| Record | 3798949 | 3997800 |
Cost estimates: cooling kWh ≈ cooling capacity × full-load hours ÷ SEER2 ÷ 1,000; heating kWh ≈ 47°F heating capacity × full-load hours ÷ HSPF2 ÷ 1,000. "Per 1,000 full-load hours" is a yardstick for comparing systems, not a prediction of your bill; your hours depend on climate, house and settings. Rate: U.S. average residential 18.31¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026 (preliminary)).
See MRCOOL on the manufacturer's site (plain link, not an affiliate link)
See ACiQ on the manufacturer's site (plain link, not an affiliate link)