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DIYCOOL heat pump efficiency: 75 outdoor models compared

DIYCOOL has 75 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 170 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 DIYCOOL makes. DIYCOOL has no QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file, so it is not ranked against other manufacturers.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

ManufacturerData as of updated · sources

Outdoor models
75
AHRI certifications
170
Efficiency index
54%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (95 models)
Meet CEE 2025
65.3%
49 models

How DIYCOOL 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.
DIYCOOL against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of DIYCOOL’s own modelsDIYCOOL is strongest on HSPF2 (its typical model beats 62% of comparable models) and weakest on COP at 5°F (42%).
  • DIYCOOL
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DIYCOOL

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of DIYCOOL’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index95 models scored54%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F95 models scored42%Not ranked1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F95 models scored62%Not ranked78%
HSPF297 models scored62%Not ranked9.4
SEER297 models scored59%Not ranked18.9
EER297 models scored43%Not ranked11.0
Heating capacity at 5°F95 models scored62%Not ranked22,530 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of DIYCOOL’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)65.3%49
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)60%45
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.3%1
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)54.7%41
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.3%1
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate45.3%34

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.
DIYCOOL’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
  • DIYCOOL (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 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 tons957%43%62%62%
Ducted, 2 tons858%36%72%64%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1452%39%72%60%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1656%37%78%67%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons2155%50%59%60%
Non-ducted, 2 tons651%52%59%48%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1551%38%46%49%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons847%36%46%52%

Every DIYCOOL model in the market

DIYCOOL’s 97 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
DIYCOOL models by size and ratingColoured: DIYCOOL · grey shapes: all 11,475 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • DIYCOOL models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 97 diycool models, each through its representative certification, in the colour of the rating shown. The grey shapes count all 11,475 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 tons1751.701.851.902.102.26
Ducted, 1 ton3401.851.902.002.402.65
Ducted, 1.5 tons7891.751.852.002.202.55
Ducted, 2 tons7821.731.802.002.102.33
Ducted, 2.5 tons7351.711.801.902.092.48
Ducted, 3 tons6521.681.701.902.062.36
Ducted, 3.5 tons6411.611.801.952.202.50
Ducted, 4 tons3671.701.801.912.022.52
Ducted, 4.5 tons5441.701.801.912.082.34
Ducted, 5 tons251.801.801.901.902.15
Non-ducted, 0.5 tons7171.751.811.972.102.19
Non-ducted, 1 ton1,0641.751.801.902.072.25
Non-ducted, 1.5 tons8861.801.801.872.072.21
Non-ducted, 2 tons5641.801.801.832.042.21
Non-ducted, 2.5 tons2751.801.811.841.862.03
Non-ducted, 3 tons5021.801.801.902.002.09
Non-ducted, 3.5 tons701.821.831.902.002.28
Non-ducted, 4 tons2631.801.801.982.002.10
Non-ducted, 4.5 tons1031.771.771.801.972.02
Non-ducted, 5 tons291.982.002.102.302.47

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Top DIYCOOL 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 DIYCOOL 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
1ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230BDIYCOOL · ACIQwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC0.5 tons6,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted107%2.0913.67,50026.5CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC2210857334Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons89.3
2ACIQ-18-HPBDIYCOOL · ACIQ serieswith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Ducted99%2.3010.818,80019.3CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC5213433267Ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.9
3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDIYCOOL · ACIQwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Ducted88%2.0210.346,00014.3None3210857342Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons86.4
4ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230BDIYCOOL · ACIQwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB2 tons24,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted100%2.1011.025,00020.5CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC5207825563Non-ducted, 2 tons85.4
5ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BDIYCOOL · ACIQwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60CD-HH-MB4.5 tons55,000 Btu/h · Ducted93%1.979.553,00015.8ES CC2210857343Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0

All-around best

Top 5 DIYCOOL 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
1ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230BDIYCOOL · ACIQwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC0.5 tons6,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted107%2.0913.626.515.8CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC2210857334Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons92.089.394.789.3
2SC-09ZPL-HP230DIYCOOLwith ductless indoor unit SC-09WPL-HP2301 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted144%1.9111.027.016.6CEE 25CEE 26Xcel1208650744Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons88.780.197.380.1
3ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230BDIYCOOL · ACIQwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-09W-HH-MB1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted88%1.9711.528.116.2CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC5207825550Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons87.076.297.976.2
4ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230BDIYCOOL · ACIQwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB1 ton9,000 Btu/h · Ducted108%1.9012.020.213.2CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC5207825557Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.274.995.574.9
5ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230BDIYCOOL · ACIQwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB2 tons24,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted86%2.2111.421.513.0CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC5207825553Non-ducted, 2 tons84.384.584.185.4

Best model on each rating

DIYCOOL’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FACIQ-24ZPL-HP230B2.21Non-ducted, 2 tons91%207825553
Capacity retention at 5°FSC-09ZPL-HP230144%Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons99%208650744
HSPF2ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230B10.3Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons99%210857342
SEER2ES-27Z-M3B24.6Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons99%210857404
EER2SC-09ZPL-HP23016.6Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons99%208650744
Heating capacity at 5°FACIQ-60ZPL-HP230B56,500 Btu/hNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons99%210857346

All 75 DIYCOOL models in Explore

DIYCOOL 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.
DIYCOOL: 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 tons86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 21343326785.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825557
Ducted, 2 tons79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 20782556080.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825560
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB10 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 21085734175.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-27Z-M3B14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210857405
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB12 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 21085734282.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825598
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60-EHPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60AHB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213433261
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC11 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 21085733492.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC21 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210857334
Non-ducted, 2 tons85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 20782556384.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825553
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B7 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 20782559482.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B13 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825594
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-60FM-HH-MB5 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21085734677.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825597

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest DIYCOOL certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 5 most recently certified DIYCOOL outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
SC-27Z-HH-M4BDIYCOOL · Extreme Heat2 tons23,200 Btu/h · Ducted and non-ducted and mixed (multi-zone)2.1090%10.021.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC3215742359
ACIQ-30-HPBDIYCOOL · ACIQ Serieswith ducted air handler ACIQ-30-AHB2.5 tons30,000 Btu/h · Ducted1.8073%8.916.2CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC6215570369
EZ-36-HPDIYCOOL · EZ Serieswith ducted air handler EZ-36-AH3 tons36,000 Btu/h · Ducted1.8699%9.516.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1215463874
ACIQ-PHH1760000K000VDIYCOOL · Extreme Heat Inverter Rooftop4.5 tons56,000 Btu/h · Ducted1.8079%8.317.0XcelES CC1215387229
ACIQ-PHH1748000K000VDIYCOOL · Extreme Heat Inverter Rooftop4 tons47,000 Btu/h · Ducted1.8098%8.517.8CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1215387228

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