Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.

AIR-CON and DIRECT AIR on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, DIRECT AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

AIR-CON
DIRECT AIR
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AIR-CON	DIRECT AIR
Efficiency index	45%median —	67%median —
COP at 5°F	57%median 2.00	62%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	33%median 70%	64%median 83%
HSPF2	45%median 8.6	76%median 10.3
SEER2	43%median 17.0	71%median 20.5
EER2	39%median 11.4	62%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	43%median 21,600 Btu/h	66%median 26,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	41	47
AHRI certifications	64	198

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AIR-CON	DIRECT AIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	43.9%18 models	93.6%44 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	36.6%15 models	93.6%44 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	2.1%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	34.1%14 models	85.1%40 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	2.1%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	87.2%41 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 9 groups where both have models

AIR-CON
DIRECT AIR
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	AIR-CON	DIRECT AIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 78%	12 · index 73%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 71%	6 · index 63%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	10 · index 55%	13 · index 69%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	14 · index 57%	11 · index 65%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 68%	1 · index 63%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	7 · index 20%	11 · index 75%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 31%	2 · index 82%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 57%	13 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index 32%	8 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None	1 · index 59%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). 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.
Size and duct type	AIR-CONCold-climate score, best model	DIRECT AIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	69.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M181 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217291581	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-18HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-18HP-DU11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217447834
Ducted, 2 tons	68.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVPI7H4T243 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218644490	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DU6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216788527
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVPI7H4T362 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 218644491	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-36LCHX-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-36HP-DU11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 216788531
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R60-S6 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 217655822	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 215213809
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	68.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M181 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217291580	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WM11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216571371
Non-ducted, 2 tons	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M24with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M241 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217291584	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-24HP-CA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216788526
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	62.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M36with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M361 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217291586	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-36LCHX-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-36HP-CF11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 216571385
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	55.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M48with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M481 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217291589	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 215213810
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. 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.
Size and duct type	AIR-CONAll-around score, best model	DIRECT AIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M181 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291581	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-09HP-DU12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217447830
Ducted, 2 tons	73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVPI7H4T242 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218644490	78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-24DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DU6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216788529
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	59.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AASDCI7H4R30with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R30-S6 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217655824	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-36HXPRO28-4ZAlso listed as DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5Z13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213806
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	77.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R48-S8 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217655825	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-48DA25-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48DA25-6Z11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213797
Ducted, 5 tons and up	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ASGCI8H4M60with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M601 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291590	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 tons	59.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M187 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291582	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WM11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216571371
Non-ducted, 2 tons	69.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M24with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M243 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291584	86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-24DA25-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-24HP-WM2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216571370
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH7H6C36KN-AE2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217643037	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-36HXPRO28-4ZAlso listed as DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5Z13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213805
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH7H6C48KN-AE4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217643038	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213808
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	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

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	AIR-CON	DIRECT AIR
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.20CH7H6C48KN-AENon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 2.51DIRM4-12DA25-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 96% · 103%AVPI7H4T24Ducted, 2 tons	beats 98% · 126%DIRM4-09HXPRO28-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 94% · 9.7ASGCI8H4M60Ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 99% · 14.8DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 94% · 24.0CH7H6C48KN-AENon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 97% · 25.0DIRM4-27DA25-3Z*Also listed as DIRM4-27DA25-4ZNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 97% · 14.0CH7H6C36KN-AENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 18.0DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 94% · 24,600 Btu/hAVPI7H4T24Ducted, 2 tons	beats 98% · 39,500 Btu/hDIRM4-36LCHX-1ZNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

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AIR-CON vs DIRECT AIR heat pumps