What is the best 3-ton packaged heat pump?

On certified efficiency, the Hisense AR-36U3R25U leads at 18.5 SEER2 and 8.5 HSPF2. For cold climates the Hisense AR-36U3R25U has the best efficiency at 5°F (COP 2.00). For very hot summers the Daikin DHH0361********A has the highest EER2 (13.0). The right pick depends on your climate, so compare the lists above.

How much does a 3-ton packaged heat pump cost to run?

A typical 3-ton packaged heat pump (15.2 SEER2, 7.7 HSPF2) uses about $1,239 of electricity a year in a mixed climate like Atlanta, roughly $103 a month on average. Across U.S. climates it ranges from $1,227 to $2,469 a year. The most efficient model in this class saves about $156 a year in Atlanta.

Which 3-ton packaged heat pump works best in cold weather?

Look for ENERGY STAR cold-climate certification (4 of 22 qualify). The Hisense AR-36U3R25U has the highest COP at 5°F in this class (2.00) and delivers 26,400 BTU/h at 5°F. Cold-climate units are often marketed as hyper-heat or low-ambient models.

Best 3-ton packaged heat pumps

22 ENERGY STAR certified 3-ton packaged heat pumps from 15 brands, ranked on their official ratings. Here are the winners for each kind of home, then the full list.

Best overall

Hisense AR-36U3R25U

3 ton packaged · HI-PAK · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 18.5
HSPF2: 8.5
Heat at 5°F: 26,400

Highest seasonal cooling efficiency of all 22 3-ton packaged heat pumps, with 8.5 HSPF2 for heating.

Full specs and running cost

Best for cold winters

GREE TK-H03TC/NHA-D(U)

3 ton packaged · DC inverter rooftop unit · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 18.0
HSPF2: 8.5
COP at 5°F: 1.90

Cold-climate certified, with one of the best efficiencies at 5°F in this size (COP 1.90).

Full specs and running cost

Best for hot summers

Daikin DHH0361********A

3 ton packaged · DHH

SEER2: 16.4
HSPF2: 7.4
EER2: 13.0

EER2 of 13.0: among the most efficient on a 95°F afternoon.

Full specs and running cost

Area one unit coversabout 1,200-2,000 sq ft
Typical running cost$1,239/yr in Atlanta
Average efficiency16.1 SEER2
Cold-climate certified4 of 22

Compare all 22 3-ton packaged heat pumps

22 models, ranked by SEER2 (cooling efficiency), then HSPF2.

#							Cold
1	Hisense AR-36U3R25UHI-PAK	3-ton	18.5	10.6	8.5	26,400	Yes	1
2	ECOER ERDA19H-36ADRTi 2	3-ton	18.3	11.0	9.2	24,600	Yes	1
3	GREE TK-H03TC/NHA-D(U)DC inverter rooftop unit	3-ton	18.0	11.2	8.5	29,000	Yes	2
4	MRCOOL MDPH18036DUniversal DC Inverter Packaged Unit	3-ton	18.0	11.2	8.5	29,000	Yes	1
5	Bosch BPBA-36RCB-M18SIDP Premium LGWP	3-ton	18.0	11.0	8.1	23,000	No	1
6	York PH9E36N00D21PH9	3-ton	18.0	11.0	8.1	23,000	No	5
7	Daikin DHH0361********ADHH	3-ton	16.4	13.0	7.4	15,000	No	1
8	Lennox LHT036H5E*1PENLIGHT	3-ton	16.0	12.2	7.2	14,000	No	2
9	Carrier 50VR-K36---30Performance HP	3-ton	15.5	12.0	7.2	12,700	No	1
10	Kenmore PHR536000K***K1Quiet Comfort HP	3-ton	15.5	12.0	7.2	12,700	No	11
11	Trane 5DCZ5036A15DCZ5	3-ton	15.2	11.5	8.1	17,600	No	2
12	Trane 5WCZ5036A15WCZ5	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.7	17,600	No	2
13	AIREASE RPHPV-71536P-RPHPV Series	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.2	15,200	No	5
14	Carrier 50NR-B36---30Performance HP	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.2	14,100	No	1
15	Fujitsu RDFXYC036AJVRDFXYC	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.2	13,800	No	6
16	ICP Commercial PHB536000K000BQuiet Comfort HP	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.2	14,100	No	11
17	Lennox LDT036H4E*1PENLIGHT	3-ton	15.2	11.4	7.2	26,600	No	2
18	Lennox LRP15HPK36VP-LRP15HP	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.2	15,200	No	1
19	Rheem RHPBYC036AJTCLASSIC PLUS	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.2	13,900	No	6
20	Rheem RHPXYC036AJTRHPXYC	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.2	13,800	No	7
21	Rheem RHPXZS036AJTRHPXZS	3-ton	15.2	11.5	7.2	-	No	6
22	York PHE6B3624LX SERIES	3-ton	15.2	12.0	7.2	30,600	No	6

More about 3-ton packaged heat pumps

Top 5 for cold climatesranked by COP at 5°F

Cold-climate certified models with the highest efficiency at 5°F. Often sold as hyper-heat or low-ambient models.

#	Model	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	COP at 5°F
1	Hisense AR-36U3R25Ualso sold as 3 other model numbers	18.5	10.6	8.5	2.00
2	GREE TK-H03TC/NHA-D(U)	18.0	11.2	8.5	1.90
3	MRCOOL MDPH18036Dalso sold as 3 other model numbers	18.0	11.2	8.5	1.90
4	ECOER ERDA19H-36ADalso sold as 1 other model number	18.3	11.0	9.2	1.90

Top 5 for hot climatesranked by EER2

Highest efficiency on a 95°F afternoon, which drives summer bills in places like Phoenix, Houston and Florida.

#	Model	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	COP at 5°F
1	Daikin DHH0361********A	16.4	13.0	7.4	1.85
2	Lennox LHT036H5E*1Palso sold as 1 other model number	16.0	12.2	7.2	1.68
3	Carrier 50VR-K36---30also sold as 3 other model numbers	15.5	12.0	7.2	1.77
4	Kenmore PHR536000K***K1	15.5	12.0	7.2	1.77
5	York PHE6B3624also sold as 1 other model number	15.2	12.0	7.2	2.14

Top 5 for heatingranked by HSPF2

Highest seasonal heating efficiency, for homes where the heat pump replaces a furnace.

#	Model	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	COP at 5°F
1	ECOER ERDA19H-36ADalso sold as 1 other model number	18.3	11.0	9.2	1.90
2	Hisense AR-36U3R25Ualso sold as 3 other model numbers	18.5	10.6	8.5	2.00
3	GREE TK-H03TC/NHA-D(U)	18.0	11.2	8.5	1.90
4	MRCOOL MDPH18036Dalso sold as 3 other model numbers	18.0	11.2	8.5	1.90
5	Trane 5DCZ5036A1	15.2	11.5	8.1	2.00

How many square feet does a 3-ton packaged heat pump cover?1,200-2,000 sq ft

Hot and dry climate (Phoenix)up to 2,000 sq ft
Hot and humid climate (Houston)up to 2,000 sq ft
Mixed climate (Atlanta)up to 1,900 sq ft
Cold climate (Chicago)up to 1,350 sq ft
Very cold climate (Minneapolis)up to 1,200 sq ft

Average insulation, 8 ft ceilings. Sunny rooms, kitchens and older houses need more capacity. Size calculator

What a 3-ton packaged heat pump costs to run$103/month typical

Hot and dry (Phoenix)$1,369/yr · best $1,155
Hot and humid (Houston)$1,227/yr · best $1,037
Mixed (Atlanta)$1,239/yr · best $1,083
Cold (Chicago)$2,401/yr · best $2,144
Very cold (Minneapolis)$2,469/yr · best $2,217

Typical = median model of this size (15.2 SEER2, 7.7 HSPF2); best = most efficient. Local electricity prices from the U.S. EIA. Calculate for your home

Questions4

What is the best 3-ton packaged heat pump?: On certified efficiency, the Hisense AR-36U3R25U leads at 18.5 SEER2 and 8.5 HSPF2. For cold climates the Hisense AR-36U3R25U has the best efficiency at 5°F (COP 2.00). For very hot summers the Daikin DHH0361********A has the highest EER2 (13.0). The right pick depends on your climate, so compare the lists above.
How many square feet does a 3-ton packaged heat pump cover?: About 1,200 to 2,000 sq ft with average insulation: 2,000 sq ft in a hot and dry climate like Phoenix, 2,000 sq ft in a hot and humid climate like Houston, 1,900 sq ft in a mixed climate like Atlanta, 1,350 sq ft in a cold climate like Chicago, 1,200 sq ft in a very cold climate like Minneapolis. Cold climates cover less because the heating load is larger.
How much does a 3-ton packaged heat pump cost to run?: A typical 3-ton packaged heat pump (15.2 SEER2, 7.7 HSPF2) uses about $1,239 of electricity a year in a mixed climate like Atlanta, roughly $103 a month on average. Across U.S. climates it ranges from $1,227 to $2,469 a year. The most efficient model in this class saves about $156 a year in Atlanta.
Which 3-ton packaged heat pump works best in cold weather?: Look for ENERGY STAR cold-climate certification (4 of 22 qualify). The Hisense AR-36U3R25U has the highest COP at 5°F in this class (2.00) and delivers 26,400 BTU/h at 5°F. Cold-climate units are often marketed as hyper-heat or low-ambient models.

Other sizes

ENERGY STAR data, updated October 12, 2026

Best 3-ton packaged heat pumps

Top picks

Hisense AR-36U3R25U

GREE TK-H03TC/NHA-D(U)

Daikin DHH0361********A

Compare all 22 3-ton packaged heat pumps

More about 3-ton packaged heat pumps

Other sizes