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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 45% 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

AIRTEMP

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

25 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°FAIRTEMP: Beats 32%DIRECT AIR: Beats 53%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIRTEMP: Beats 65%DIRECT AIR: Beats 61%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIRTEMP: Beats 37%DIRECT AIR: Beats 60%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 38%DIRECT AIR: Beats 56%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIRTEMP: Beats 44%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

    AIRTEMP
    48%
    DIRECT AIR
    60%

  • Xcel CC

    AIRTEMP
    52%
    DIRECT AIR
    54%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIRTEMP
    0%
    DIRECT AIR
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIRTEMP
    32%
    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). What size is my system?

AIRTEMP

  1. 1GXH24-36MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH**-36MSK4DH1AIRTEMP3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    55.3score / 100
  2. 2GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-1AIRTEMP2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 89% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    54.7score / 100
  3. 3GXH42(12.3)FMK4DH-1AIRTEMP3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    52.1score / 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