Look, if you’ve been heat pump shopping around Massachusetts, you’ve probably seen the same names everywhere: Mitsubishi, LG, Bryant, and Daikin. They’re all solid choices for our brutal winters, but here’s what nobody tells you – the differences between these brands can mean the difference between loving your system and cursing it every January morning.
We’ve been installing heat pumps all over the state for years. Boston triple-deckers, those gorgeous old Victorians in Worcester, beach houses down on the Cape – you name it. And while Endless Energy could sell you any of these four brands and sleep fine at night, they each have their sweet spots.
At Endless Energy we work with a lot of brands because our focus on presenting options with transparency, meaning with pros and cons. At the end of the day we present solutions we know will work (rather than one brand that’s the only one we work with), but the decision after learning the pros and cons is yours! So let me break it down for you…without the sales pitch.
What Actually Matters When You’re Picking a Heat Pump
Forget the marketing brochures for a minute. When you’re living with one of these things for the next 15 years, here’s what you really care about:
Can it handle a Massachusetts winter? We’re talking real cold – like when it’s -5°F and your neighbors are cranking up their oil burners.
How much will it cost to run? Efficiency ratings matter, but so does how the thing actually performs in real conditions.
Will it keep you up at night? Nobody wants a heat pump that sounds like a freight train every time it kicks on.
Does the app actually work? Half these “smart” systems have apps that’ll make you want to throw your phone.
Will it look decent in your house? Some of these indoor units are pretty ugly, let’s be honest.
What happens when it breaks? And trust me, eventually something will need fixing.
Mitsubishi Electric – The Gold Standard (If You Can Swing It)
Here’s why we end up recommending Mitsubishi as a premium brand option to most customers:
Their Hyper-Heat technology is legit. Endless Energy has thousands of customers who stayed warm when it hit -10°F in the 2023 winter while their neighbors were running space heaters. The thing just keeps pumping out heat when other brands start giving up.
They’re also the quietest systems Endless Energy installs. The indoor units are so quiet you’ll forget they’re there. The outdoor units won’t bug your neighbors either.
If you care about how it looks, Mitsubishi’s got these Designer Series units that actually look nice on your wall. Way better than the basic white box most brands give you.
From a service perspective, Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractors have access to special call in numbers that allow us to move faster when we need to open a case number for your system.
The downside? You’re gonna pay for it. Mitsubishi typically costs more upfront, and you will need to use their controls and thermostats for the best performance.
The equipment is sophisticated and advance, so it’s not surprise that there are a lot of specialty parts. That means on the service side as with many heat pump brands, getting replacement parts can be a bottleneck.
Bottom line: If you want the best cold-weather performance and have the budget for it, Mitsubishi’s hard to beat.
LG – When You Want Something Different
LG does some interesting stuff that the other brands don’t:
Their Art Cool Gallery units can actually display your family photos or artwork. Sounds gimmicky, but customers love it. Makes the unit feel less like an appliance stuck on your wall. In general, especially LG’s ductless lineup looks sleek and modern – something important to a lot of homeowners.
The cold-weather performance is solid – not quite Mitsubishi level, but close enough for most Massachusetts homes.
Their app works well and plays nice with other smart home stuff, especially if you’ve got other LG appliances.
The challenges: Controls – similar to Mitsubishi, you really need to use LG’s proprietary controls for heat pump systems to work correctly…and they are a bit lackluster and require software updates that can sometime be problematic.
We’ve found their tech support to be less strong that Mitsubishi when we have a service issue. Slightly longer waits for case numbers (even as a LG Platinum Pro contractor), and similar to Mitsubishi if you need a replacement part, it might take a bit longer to get.
Bottom line: Great choice if you want something that looks different and performs well, especially if aesthetics matter to you.
Bryant Ductless – The Practical Choice
Bryant’s the brand Endless Energy recommends when customers want good performance without the premium price tag.
They perform well in cold weather – maybe not quite as aggressive as Mitsubishi in the really deep cold, but solid enough for most Massachusetts homes.
The pricing is reasonable, and they qualify for all the Mass Save rebates without any hassles.
Bryant’s equipment is pretty common, so many service techs in the state knows how to work on it, so finding service is never a problem.
Bryant (as long as it’s not the Evolution line) also works with controls you may already have in your home like an Ecobee.
The trade-offs: The indoor units are pretty basic looking – no fancy design options. Bryant indoor units also don’t come with built in wifi (you need to add a module for about $150 a unit)..
Bottom line: Solid, dependable choice that won’t break the bank and will keep you comfortable.
Daikin – The Engineering Powerhouse
Daikin’s the biggest HVAC company in the world, and it shows in their engineering. They make systems for everything from small condos to huge commercial buildings, so they’ve got options for complex installations including VRF systems.
Their efficiency ratings are excellent, especially for cooling. If you run AC a lot in the summer, Daikin systems can save you money.
The systems integrate well with fancy thermostats and building automation if you’re into that stuff.
What to watch out for: Not all Daikin models are built for Massachusetts winters, so you want to make sure your contractor is showing you models that do work for cold climates. The indoor units are pretty utilitarian looking compared to LG.
Proprietary controls are required for the system to run properly. Fortunately these controls are pretty straightforward and have some great features.
Bottom line: Great choice if you want proven engineering and lots of configuration options, just make sure you get the right model for our climate.
Quick Heat Pump Brand Comparison Table
| Feature | Mitsubishi | LG | Bryant | Daikin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-Weather Heating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Efficiency | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Noise Level | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Controls Ease | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Aesthetics | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Warranty | 12 yrs | 10–12 yrs | 10 yrs | 12 yrs |
| Price Tier | $$$$ | $$$-$$$$ | $$ | $$–$$$ |
So Which One Should You Pick?
Honestly? It depends on what matters most to you:
Want the absolute best cold-weather performance and don’t mind paying for it? Go Mitsubishi.
Care about how it looks and want good smart features? LG’s your brand.
Want solid performance at a reasonable price with easy service? Bryant’s a safe bet.
Want maximum efficiency and system flexibility? Look at Daikin, but make sure it’s a cold-climate model.
Here’s the thing – any of these four brands will heat and cool your house just fine. In fact Endless Energy will not install brands that we do not have faith in (read about why we dropped Fujitsu). The differences are in the details, and those details matter when you’re living with the system every day.
My advice? Think about what’s going to bug you the most. If noise drives you crazy, pay extra for Mitsubishi. If you hate looking at ugly equipment, consider LG. If you just want something reliable that won’t cost a fortune, Bryant’s probably your answer.
And remember – the installation matters as much as the equipment. A great heat pump installed poorly will make you miserable. Make sure whoever you hire really knows what they’re doing with whichever brand you choose.
Ready to get started?
Give Endless Energy a call at 508-440-4098 or use our easy online scheduling for a no cost heat pump consultation. We’ll schedule a time to come out, assess your home, and walk you through your options. And yes, we handle all that Mass Save rebate paperwork too, so you don’t have to deal with the headache (we even front the rebate).
Because at the end of the day, the best heat pump is the one that keeps you comfortable for years without any drama. Let’s make sure you get exactly that.
