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AUX vs Daikin: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AUX model beats 49% and a typical Daikin model 51%. Daikin rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

AUX

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

189 models listed

Daikin

51%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

410 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°FAUX: Beats 60%Daikin: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAUX: Beats 51%Daikin: Beats 49%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AUX: Beats 40%Daikin: Beats 39%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AUX: Beats 48%Daikin: Beats 46%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AUX: Beats 39%Daikin: Beats 55%

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

    AUX
    68%
    Daikin
    40%
  • Xcel CC

    AUX
    66%
    Daikin
    31%
  • CEE Advanced

    AUX
    1%
    Daikin
    2%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AUX
    35%
    Daikin
    18%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

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

AUX

  1. 1ASUM42HPMULOAUX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 60.1Meets 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
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.4 (EER2)
    Great
    74.4score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 89
  2. 2AM5-H42/2DR3BAUX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 50.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    72.2score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 94

Daikin

  1. 1RXLA48AAVJU*Daikin4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 47.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    48.2score / 100Heating 47 · Cooling 49
  2. 2RXTA48AAVJU*Daikin4 tons · 45,500 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 44.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    46.6score / 100Heating 44 · Cooling 49
  3. 35MXT40AVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXV09AVJU*+FTXV09AVJU*+FTXV09AVJU*+FTXV07AVJU*+CTXV07AVJUDaikinAlso listed as 5MXTH40AVJU3.5 tons · 40,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 35.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    35.6score / 100Heating 35 · Cooling 36

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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