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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

AUX

  1. 1ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2with ductless indoor unit ASW-H18E3B2/*R3DI-D2AUXAlso listed as ASW-H18E3B2/**R3DI-D21.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 80.6Meets 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
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    84.2score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 88
  2. 2AMAR18HP230V1COwith ductless indoor unit AMAR18HP230V1CHAUX1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.21 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.2score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 88
  3. 3AMAR09HP115V1COwith ductless indoor unit AMAR09HP115V1CHAUX1 ton · 9,200 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.9score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 88

Daikin

  1. 1MST183G32MHAADaikin (sold as Goodman)1.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 84.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    27.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    90.5score / 100Heating 85 · Cooling 96
  2. 2RXM09WVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXM09WVJUDaikin1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 81.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.2 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    27.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.3 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    88.9score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 97
  3. 3RXM12WVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXM12WVJUDaikin1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 79.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.2 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.2 (EER2)
    Great
    82.7score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 86

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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