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Bosch vs DIRECT AIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Bosch scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Bosch has 50 outdoor models, DIRECT AIR has 68 outdoor models. DIRECT AIR has no QMID on file and is not ranked. They share hardware: 36 equipment families appear under both names.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
Bosch and DIRECT AIR on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, Bosch scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • Bosch
  • DIRECT AIR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
BoschDIRECT A…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingBoschDIRECT AIR
Efficiency index65% (higher)median — · 4th ranked61% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F55% (higher)median 2.00 · 12th ranked53% (higher)median 1.96
Capacity retention at 5°F60%median 73% · 8th ranked61%median 80%
HSPF269% (higher)median 9.3 · 4th ranked60% (higher)median 9.2
SEER270% (higher)median 19.2 · 2nd ranked56% (higher)median 19.0
EER258% (higher)median 11.7 · 8th ranked53% (higher)median 11.7
Heating capacity at 5°F56%median 20,000 Btu/h · 12th ranked56%median 19,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models5068
AHRI certifications1,560148

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBoschDIRECT AIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)76%38 models60.3%41 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)76%38 models58.8%40 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)2%1 models1.5%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)64%32 models54.4%37 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge2%1 models1.5%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate30%15 models50%34 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 9 groups where both have models
  • Bosch
  • DIRECT AIR
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeBoschDIRECT AIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons11 · index 65%12 · index 61%
Ducted, 2 tons9 · index 72%5 · index 67%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons12 · index 58%13 · index 55%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons7 · index 68%11 · index 58%
Ducted, 5 tons and up5 · index 60%2 · index 49%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons11 · index 68%27 · index 65%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 81%6 · index 66%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons10 · index 61%9 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · index 58%4 · index 58%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeBoschCold-climate score, best modelDIRECT AIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons75.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BMS500-AAS009-1CSXHBwith ducted air handler BMS500-AAU009-1AHDXB10 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 20401446774.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM-09HP-DUH9 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 207743749
Ducted, 2 tons82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BMS500-AAS024-1CSXHBwith ducted air handler BMS500-AAU024-1AHDXB8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 20401447080.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-24DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM-24HP-DU4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 207743759
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BOVD-36HDN1-M20Gwith indoor coil D(A,C,E)36C44+TDR and furnace BGH96M100C5B5 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 21537543878.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-36MAGICPRO20-OUwith ducted air handler DIRM-36MAGICPRO20-COIL5 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 212388351
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons88.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BOVA-60HDN1-M20Gwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M48G45 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21267569074.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-48HXPRO28-5Z3 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 207743795
Ducted, 5 tons and up70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)BRB-60HWD1N1-M19Also listed as BRBA-60HWD1N1-M182 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 202680590None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAS009-1CSXRCwith ductless indoor unit BMS500-AAU006-1AHWXC7 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 20775999389.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM-06HP-WM20 of 27 models qualify · AHRI 207743723
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAS024-1CSXHCwith ductless indoor unit BMS500-AAU024-1AHCXC2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 20776001886.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM-24HP-CA5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207743744
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAM036-1CSXHC3 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 20776003979.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-36HXPRO28-4Z2 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 207743791
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAM048-1CSXHC1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20776004276.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-48HXPRO28-5Z2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 207743794

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeBoschAll-around score, best modelDIRECT AIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAS009-1CSXHCwith ducted air handler BMS500-AAU009-1AHDXB11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20776000185.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM-09HP-DUH11 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743749
Ducted, 2 tons87.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BOVA-36HDN1-M20Gwith ducted air handler AE(D,N,U)+CM36B34+TDR9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21388583183.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-24DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM-24HP-DU4 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743759
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons85.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BOVD-36HDN1-M20Gwith indoor coil D(A,C,E)36C44+TDR and furnace BGH96M100C5B11 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21537543875.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-27DA25-3Z10 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743777
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons88.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BOVA-60HDN1-M20Gwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M48G46 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21267569082.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-48HXPRO28-5Z6 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743795
Ducted, 5 tons and up75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRB-60HWD1N1-M19Also listed as BRBA-60HWD1N1-M185 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20268059054.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MOE30U-60HFN1-Mwith ducted air handler MHG-60HWFN1-MW2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203269797
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAS009-1CSXRCwith ductless indoor unit BMS500-AAU006-1AHWXC11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20775999392.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM-06HP-WM22 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743723
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAS024-1CSXHCwith ductless indoor unit BMS500-AAU024-1AHWXC2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20775999784.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM-24HP-WM5 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743727
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAM036-1CSXHC8 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20776003982.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-36HXPRO28-4Z7 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743791
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)BMS500-AAM048-1CSXHC3 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20776004277.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM-48HXPRO28-5Z3 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743794

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingBoschDIRECT AIR
COP at 5°Fbeats 99% · 3.03BOVD-36HDN1-M20GDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 97% · 2.39DIRM-12DA25-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 126%BOVD-36HDN1-M20GDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 93% · 108%DIRM-09HXPRO28-1ZDucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 98% · 13.6BMS500-AAS009-1CSXRCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 13.6DIRM-06HXPRO28-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 24.6BMS500-AAM027-1CSXRCNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 24.6DIRM-27DA25-3ZNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 98% · 16.2BMS500-AAS009-1CSXHCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 16.2DIRM-09HXPRO28-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hBMS500-AAM018-1CSXHCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hDIRM-18HXPRO28-2ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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