Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

AIR-CON vs DIRECT AIR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR-CON model beats 55% and a typical DIRECT AIR model 61%. DIRECT AIR rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

AIR-CON

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

65 models listed

DIRECT AIR

61%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

68 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 47%DIRECT AIR: Beats 53%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR-CON: Beats 52%DIRECT AIR: Beats 61%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR-CON: Beats 46%DIRECT AIR: Beats 60%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR-CON: Beats 54%DIRECT AIR: Beats 56%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR-CON: Beats 50%DIRECT AIR: Beats 53%

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
    55%
    DIRECT AIR
    60%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR-CON
    49%
    DIRECT AIR
    54%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR-CON
    0%
    DIRECT AIR
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR-CON
    39%
    DIRECT AIR
    50%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

AIR-CON

  1. 1ASLCI4H4S36with ducted air handler ASLEK4H4S36AIR-CON3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.1score / 100
  2. 2ASDDI4H4S36with ducted air handler ASDVI4H4S36AIR-CON3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    75.1score / 100
  3. 3AMSCI4H4S36AIR-CON2.5 tons · 32,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.9 (HSPF2)
    Good
    67.4score / 100

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM-36MAGICPRO20-OUwith ducted air handler DIRM-36MAGICPRO20-COILDIRECT AIR3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    78.6score / 100
  2. 2DIRM-36MAGICPRO20-OU1Fwith ducted air handler DIRM-36MAGICPRO20-AHDIRECT AIR3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 97% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    68.9score / 100
  3. 3DIRM-30MAGICPRO20-OUwith ducted air handler DIRM-36MAGICPRO20-COILDIRECT AIR2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.7 (HSPF2)
    Great
    67.8score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view