Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

BHI vs DIAL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BHI model beats 36% and a typical DIAL model 55%. DIAL rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

BHI

36%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

5 models listed

DIAL

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

40 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°FBHI: Beats 19%DIAL: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBHI: Beats 33%DIAL: Beats 58%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BHI: Beats 17%DIAL: Beats 51%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BHI: Beats 27%DIAL: Beats 55%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BHI: Beats 18%DIAL: Beats 54%

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

    BHI
    20%
    DIAL
    83%

  • Xcel CC

    BHI
    20%
    DIAL
    70%

  • CEE Advanced

    BHI
    0%
    DIAL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BHI
    20%
    DIAL
    60%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

BHI

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from BHI.

DIAL

  1. 136000Z-04-ODIALAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJ2.5 tons · 32,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    113% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.9 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.6score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 88
  2. 236000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 36000U-DUC-IDIAL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.9 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    67.6score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 57
  3. 336000-CHP-Owith ducted air handler 36000-CHP-AHUDIAL3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 75.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    63.2score / 100Heating 75 · Cooling 51

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