Argo 398000974 5.2 kW vs TCL TAC 5.2 kW (TAC-18CHSD/TPH11I): which is quieter and cheaper to run?

Argo 398000974 5.2 kW is better on every figure we have: SEER 0.7 higher and ≈£8.19 cheaper to run. TCL TAC 5.2 kW (TAC-18CHSD/TPH11I) only makes sense if it is cheaper where you buy it.

manufacturer-declared, EPREL

Argo 398000974 5.2 kW and TCL TAC 5.2 kW (TAC-18CHSD/TPH11I), estimated dB(A).

Where the registered figures differ

The marker that opened this page: seer. Both columns use the same tariff and the same noise setting.

Argo 398000974 5.2 kW against TCL TAC 5.2 kW (TAC-18CHSD/TPH11I). Difference is left minus right.
Field	Argo 398000974 5.2 kW	TCL TAC 5.2 kW (TAC-18CHSD/TPH11I)	Difference	Source
Outdoor sound power	65.0 dB(A)	65.0 dB(A)	≈0 dB	manufacturer-declared, EPREL
SEER	7.2	6.5	+0.7 SEER	manufacturer-declared, EPREL
SCOP	4.0	4.0	≈0 SCOP	manufacturer-declared, EPREL
Refrigerant	R32	R32	same	manufacturer-declared, EPREL
GWP	675	675	≈0 GWP	manufacturer-declared, EPREL
£ per summer, 400 h	£76.04	£84.22	−£8.19	calculated: capacity ÷ SEER × 400 h × price-cap rate
Distance to pass 37 dB	≈10.0 m	≈10.0 m	≈0 m	calculated, MCS 020a, Q=2, no barrier
Cooling capacity	5.2 kW	5.2 kW	≈0 kW	manufacturer-declared, EPREL

Sound at a neighbour's window

Each distance is one outdoor unit, Q=2, no barrier, scored against England and Wales at 37 dB(A).

Estimated sound pressure. Scotland's legal point is a different sum and is not this column.
Distance	Argo 398000974 5.2 kW dB(A)	Argo 398000974 5.2 kW vs 37 dB	TCL TAC 5.2 kW (TAC-18CHSD/TPH11I) dB(A)	TCL TAC 5.2 kW (TAC-18CHSD/TPH11I) vs 37 dB
1 m	57.0	over	57.0	over
2 m	51.0	over	51.0	over
3 m	47.5	over	47.5	over
4 m	45.0	over	45.0	over
5 m	43.0	over	43.0	over
8 m	39.0	over	39.0	over
12 m	35.4	pass	35.4	pass

EPREL manufacturer-declared registrations · snapshot 25 Sep 2026 · n=2 · pair source tier is the weaker of the two cards; noise via contract_engine MCS 020a Q=2, no barrier · updated 25 Sep 2026 · version 1.0.0 · CSV of the values on this page

How this page was calculated

If the calculated sound pressure level at all assessment positions is equal to or lower than 37.0 dB(A) then the heat pump will comply with the Permitted Development noise limit Estimated by MCS 020a Issue 1.1 for one unit, Q=2, no barrier, via contract_engine. £ per summer is capacity ÷ SEER × hours × 26.32p/kWh (2026-10-01 to 2026-12-31). The pair row lives in the compare index CSV.

Open the two cards

Better than a spec-sheet glance: the gap is scored at the same distances against the 37 dB line, and £ per summer uses one tariff.

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