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

AIRTEMP

  1. 1GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-1AIRTEMP1.5 tons · 17,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 78% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    35.6score / 100

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM-09HP-DUHDIRECT AIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 108% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    108% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    74.9score / 100
  2. 2DIRM-09DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM-09HP-DUHDIRECT AIR1 ton · 9,000 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
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    70.4score / 100
  3. 3DIRM-12DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM-12HP-DUHDIRECT AIR1 ton · 11,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.26 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (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.

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