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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 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 127VNA154A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UICarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 291VAN054**AA4.5 tons · 51,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    102% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    90.4score / 100Heating 82 · Cooling 99
  2. 237MGRAQ48FA3Carrier (sold as Bryant)Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.7score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 94
  3. 327VPA948A*030*with ducted air handler FT5ANBD60LCarrierAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 249VAN048**AA, Arcoaire N5H9V48*K*AAA, Comfortmaker Q5H9V48*K*AAA4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.0score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 91

Daikin

  1. 1DPSH04BAPB2****E35**0*DaikinAlso listed as DPSH04BAPB3****E35**0, DPSH04BAPB4****E35**0, DPSH04BAPB5****E35**04 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 68.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.94 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.1 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    79.2score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 90
  2. 2DPSH04BAPB2****E31**0*DaikinAlso listed as DPSH04BAPB3****E31**0, DPSH04BAPB4****E31**0, DPSH04BAPB5****E31**04 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 63.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.8 (EER2)
    Great
    73.4score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 83
  3. 3DH7TCA4810A*with ducted air handler L(E,G)M48IDDaikin3.5 tons · 44,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 61% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    62% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.68 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    71.0score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 81

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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