Where summers are long and hot, the rating that matters most is EER2: efficiency on a 95°F afternoon, when the system runs flat out and electricity is most expensive. These are the leaders in each popular size.
Look at EER2 as well as SEER2. EER2 measures efficiency at 95°F, which is when bills peak in Arizona, Texas, Florida and the Gulf Coast. The median certified heat pump is rated 12.2 EER2; the leaders in each size are listed above.
Is a heat pump good for Florida or Arizona?
Yes. In warm climates a heat pump replaces the air conditioner one-for-one and also provides very cheap heat on the few cold nights, so there is little reason to buy a cooling-only system. Choose on EER2 and SEER2 rather than heating ratings.
What is the difference between SEER2 and EER2?
SEER2 is efficiency averaged over a whole cooling season with mild and hot days; EER2 is efficiency at one hot condition, 95°F outdoors. A unit can have a high SEER2 from running slowly on mild days but a modest EER2 at full load.