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 average41 models listed
DIRECT AIR
67%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
Well above average47 models listed
- 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
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Rebate standards
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 3.5–4.5 tons
Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.
Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?
AIR-CON
- 1AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R48-SAIR-CON4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.18 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 9.5 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 20.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
- 2AVDCI7H4T48with ducted air handler AVDEM7H4T48AIR-CON4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.30 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 9.2 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.5 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.5 (EER2)
- Good
- 3AVPI7H4T48AIR-CON4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.10 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 8.8 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.2 (EER2)
- Good
DIRECT AIR
- 1DIRM4-48DA25-5ZDIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-48DA25-6Z4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.10 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.6 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 20.4 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 2DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZDIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Top 10%
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 11.0 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 20.4 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
- 3DIRM4-60HXPRO28-6ZDIRECT AIR4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.10 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.7 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 20.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.
Next steps
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