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AIR-CON vs DIRECT AIR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR-CON model beats 45% and a typical DIRECT AIR model 67%. DIRECT AIR rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

AIR-CON

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

41 models listed

DIRECT AIR

67%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

47 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FAIR-CON: Beats 57%DIRECT AIR: Beats 62%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR-CON: Beats 33%DIRECT AIR: Beats 64%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR-CON: Beats 45%DIRECT AIR: Beats 76%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR-CON: Beats 43%DIRECT AIR: Beats 71%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR-CON: Beats 39%DIRECT AIR: Beats 62%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    AIR-CON
    44%
    DIRECT AIR
    94%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR-CON
    34%
    DIRECT AIR
    85%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR-CON
    0%
    DIRECT AIR
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR-CON
    0%
    DIRECT AIR
    87%

All-around best, ducted 2 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR-CON

  1. 1AVPI7H4T24AIR-CON2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 68.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    73.1score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 78
  2. 2AVDCI7H4T24with ducted air handler AVDEM7H4T24AIR-CON2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 60.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.15 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    68.1score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 76

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM4-24DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DUDIRECT AIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    78.8score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 81
  2. 2DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DUDIRECT AIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 85.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.18 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    78.4score / 100Heating 86 · Cooling 71
  3. 3DIRM4-27DA25-3Z*DIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-27DA25-4Z2 tons · 26,600 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    64.5score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 81

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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