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DIRECT AIR heat pump efficiency: 47 outdoor models compared

DIRECT AIR has 47 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 198 AHRI-certified combinations. Each model is compared with models of the same size and duct type, so the scores below do not depend on which sizes DIRECT AIR makes. DIRECT AIR has no QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file, so it is not ranked against other manufacturers.

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ManufacturerData as of updated · sources

Outdoor models
47
AHRI certifications
198
Efficiency index
67%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (78 models)
Meet CEE 2025
93.6%
44 models

How DIRECT AIR compares with comparable models

For each rating: the share of same-size, same-type models that a typical model of this manufacturer beats (50% is typical), its rank, and the raw median for context. Raw medians are not comparable across manufacturers that make different sizes.
DIRECT AIR against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of DIRECT AIR’s own modelsDIRECT AIR is strongest on HSPF2 (its typical model beats 76% of comparable models) and weakest on EER2 (62%).
  • DIRECT AIR
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DIRECT A…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of DIRECT AIR’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index78 models scored67%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F78 models scored62%Not ranked2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F78 models scored64%Not ranked83%
HSPF278 models scored76%Not ranked10.3
SEER278 models scored71%Not ranked20.5
EER278 models scored62%Not ranked12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F78 models scored66%Not ranked26,000 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of DIRECT AIR’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)93.6%44
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)93.6%44
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)2.1%1
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)85.1%40
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge2.1%1
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate87.2%41

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.
DIRECT AIR’s models inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · blue: the middle half of this manufacturer’s models there, median dot, 10th–90th percentile line
  • DIRECT AIR (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 modelsmedian

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Share of comparable models beaten, per peer group
Size and duct typeModelsIndexCOP@5°FHSPF2SEER2
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1273%73%81%76%
Ducted, 2 tons663%56%73%73%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1369%56%82%75%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1165%52%85%71%
Ducted, 5 tons and up163%66%82%89%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1175%75%83%72%
Non-ducted, 2 tons282%96%96%65%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1361%58%60%67%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons855%55%64%54%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up159%79%47%77%

Every DIRECT AIR model in the market

DIRECT AIR’s 78 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
DIRECT AIR models by size and ratingColoured: DIRECT AIR · grey shapes: all 14,508 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • DIRECT AIR models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 78 direct air models, each through its representative certification, in the colour of the rating shown. The grey shapes count all 14,508 models, half a ton at a time.
Show the data as a table
COP at 5°F by size and duct type (every model, by rated cooling capacity)
Duct type, sizeModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
Ducted, 0.5 tons8261.641.711.751.852.24
Ducted, 1 ton4071.801.902.052.412.45
Ducted, 1.5 tons9921.751.862.002.172.40
Ducted, 2 tons9991.751.862.002.182.30
Ducted, 2.5 tons1,0401.701.802.002.102.36
Ducted, 3 tons6961.801.902.002.102.42
Ducted, 3.5 tons8641.701.802.002.102.46
Ducted, 4 tons7271.801.862.002.122.40
Ducted, 4.5 tons6901.701.801.902.102.20
Ducted, 5 tons861.892.002.102.102.10
Non-ducted, 0.5 tons1,1861.751.801.902.002.22
Non-ducted, 1 ton1,3431.801.801.992.102.21
Non-ducted, 1.5 tons1,2611.801.802.002.102.31
Non-ducted, 2 tons7611.801.982.002.102.30
Non-ducted, 2.5 tons4031.801.852.002.002.10
Non-ducted, 3 tons4731.901.982.002.032.20
Non-ducted, 3.5 tons2802.002.002.002.052.10
Non-ducted, 4 tons2041.962.002.052.102.11
Non-ducted, 4.5 tons781.901.911.952.012.01
Non-ducted, 5 tons841.992.002.052.202.20

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Top DIRECT AIR models

Its top five cold-climate picks and its top five all-around models across sizes (both scores compare each model with models of its own size and duct type, so sizes compare), then, on each single rating, the model that beats the largest share of comparable models.

Cold-climate picks

Top 5 DIRECT AIR cold-climate picks across sizes. Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
# · Outdoor modelSize · typeCap. 5/47COP@5°FHSPF2Btu/h @5°FSEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.Compared withScore
1DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIR Serieswith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WM0.5 tons6,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted110%2.4014.87,70025.5CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC1216571371Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.7
2DIRM4-09DA25-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM4 Serieswith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-09HP-CO1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted96%2.2713.98,60026.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC4216788511Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons89.5
3DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM4 Serieswith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-24HP-CA2 tons23,400 Btu/h · Non-ducted95%2.2311.623,80020.7CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC4216788526Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4
4DIRM4-36LCHX-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIR Serieswith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-36HP-CF3 tons36,400 Btu/h · Non-ducted104%2.0210.839,50020.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC3216571385Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4
5DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM4 Serieswith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DU2 tons24,000 Btu/h · Ducted92%2.1811.724,00019.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC4216788527Ducted, 2 tons85.7

All-around best

Top 5 DIRECT AIR models on the all-around score across sizes. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
# · Outdoor modelSize · typeCap. 5/47COP@5°FHSPF2SEER2EER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.Compared withScoreHeating halfCooling halfCold-climate score
1DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIR Serieswith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WM0.5 tons6,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted110%2.4014.825.518.0CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC1216571371Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.296.795.796.7
2DIRM4-09DA25-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM4 Serieswith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-09HP-CO1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted96%2.2713.926.016.2CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC4216788511Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons92.689.595.789.5
3DIRM4-24DA25-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIR Serieswith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-24HP-WM2 tons24,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted78%2.5411.723.014.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC4216571370Non-ducted, 2 tons86.884.589.184.5
4DIRM4-09HXPRO28-1ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM4 Serieswith ducted air handler DIRM4-09HP-DU1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Ducted120%1.8513.820.514.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC4217447830Ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.579.993.279.9
5DIRM4-48DA25-5ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM SeriesAlso listed as DIRM4-48DA25-6Z4 tons45,000 Btu/h · Ducted81%2.1010.620.412.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC3215213797Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.177.992.377.9

Best model on each rating

DIRECT AIR’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FDIRM4-12DA25-1Z2.51Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons99%216571387
Capacity retention at 5°FDIRM4-09HXPRO28-1Z126%Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons98%216788507
HSPF2DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Z14.8Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons99%216571371
SEER2DIRM4-27DA25-3Z*Also listed as DIRM4-27DA25-4Z25.0Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons97%216683820
EER2DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Z18.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons99%216571371
Heating capacity at 5°FDIRM4-36LCHX-1Z39,500 Btu/hNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons98%216571385

All 47 DIRECT AIR models in Explore

DIRECT AIR size class by size class: cold-climate and all-around

Its best model on each board in every size and duct type it makes. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there). Cold-climate picks must keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F; the all-around score needs all five ratings and has no such bar.
DIRECT AIR: best cold-climate pick and best all-around model per size and duct type, with how many of its models are on each board (top 5 and 5 per class are in the snapshot)
Size and duct typeCold-climate pickCold-climate score, best modelAll-around bestAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-18HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-18HP-DU11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 21744783486.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-09HP-DU12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217447830
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DU6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21678852778.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-24DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DU6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216788529
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-36LCHX-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-36HP-DU11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 21678853183.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-36HXPRO28-4ZAlso listed as DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5Z13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213806
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 21521380985.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-48DA25-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48DA25-6Z11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213797
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)62.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-60DA25-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218331780
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WM11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 21657137196.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WM11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216571371
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-24HP-CA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21678852686.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-24DA25-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-24HP-WM2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216571370
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-36LCHX-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-36HP-CF11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 21657138578.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-36HXPRO28-4ZAlso listed as DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5Z13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213805
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21521381075.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213808
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-60DA25-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218331779

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest DIRECT AIR certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 5 most recently certified DIRECT AIR outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
DIRM4-60HXPRO28-6ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM Series4.5 tons52,000 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.0586%10.621.1CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC3218331808
DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM Series4 tons47,000 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.0098%11.021.7CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC3218331805
DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM Series3 tons36,000 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.00103%10.621.2CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC3218331802
DIRM4-28HXPRO28-4ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM Series2.5 tons27,400 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.0099%10.021.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC3218331799
DIRM4-18HXPRO28-3ZDIRECT AIR · DIRM Series1.5 tons19,000 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.0093%10.222.5CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC3218331796

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DIRECT AIR includes these brand names as listed in AHRI: DIRECT AIR. Standards are checked against published thresholds; program rules beyond ratings are not checked.