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AIRTEMP vs DIRECT AIR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIRTEMP model beats 36% 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

AIRTEMP

36%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

47 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°FAIRTEMP: Beats 25%DIRECT AIR: Beats 62%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIRTEMP: Beats 37%DIRECT AIR: Beats 64%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIRTEMP: Beats 30%DIRECT AIR: Beats 76%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 35%DIRECT AIR: Beats 71%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 48%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

    AIRTEMP
    43%
    DIRECT AIR
    94%

  • Xcel CC

    AIRTEMP
    40%
    DIRECT AIR
    85%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIRTEMP
    4%
    DIRECT AIR
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIRTEMP
    26%
    DIRECT AIR
    87%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIRTEMP

  1. 1DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IHAIRTEMP1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 62.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    78.0score / 100Heating 62 · Cooling 94
  2. 2DXH12PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH12PUK3IHAIRTEMP1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.7Meets 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
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    67.7score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 78
  3. 3DXH18PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH18PUK3IHAIRTEMP1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 46.0Meets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.7 (EER2)
    Great
    64.3score / 100Heating 46 · Cooling 83

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WMDIRECT AIR0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 96.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    14.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    96.2score / 100Heating 97 · Cooling 96
  2. 2DIRM4-09DA25-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-09HP-CODIRECT AIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    92.6score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 96
  3. 3DIRM4-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-09HP-CODIRECT AIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    126% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    27.2 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.1 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 96

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