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Carrier vs Daikin: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Carrier model beats 48% and a typical Daikin model 50%. Daikin rates slightly higher overall.

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

Carrier

48%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

816 models listed

Daikin

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

394 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°FCarrier: Beats 56%Daikin: Beats 46%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 34%Daikin: Beats 48%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 40%Daikin: Beats 38%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 42%Daikin: Beats 45%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%Daikin: 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

    Carrier
    40%
    Daikin
    38%

  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Daikin
    30%

  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    1%
    Daikin
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Daikin
    17%

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?

Carrier

  1. 1RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ducted air handler RAV-HB301BTP-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    88.0score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 95
  2. 2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets 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
    2.28 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.1 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.8 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    87.5score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 97
  3. 337MGHAQ30EA3Carrier (sold as Bryant)Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMHAH30EAK2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    116% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.5score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 93

Daikin

  1. 1DH9VSA361CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00ADaikinAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CA3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 88.5Meets 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
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    89.0score / 100Heating 89 · Cooling 90
  2. 2DPSH03BAPB2****E35**0*Daikin3 tons · 35,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.82 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.9 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    67.7score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 86
  3. 3DPSH03BAPB3****E35**0*DaikinAlso listed as DPSH03BAPB4****E35**03 tons · 35,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.82 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.9 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    67.7score / 100Heating 49 · 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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