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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, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 137MAHAQ06AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MAHAQ06XA3CarrierAlso sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 96.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    14.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.7 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    96.5score / 100Heating 97 · Cooling 96
  2. 237MPRAQ06AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MPHAQ06XA3Carrier0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 87.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    150% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    15.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    35.1 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    17.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    93.5score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 99
  3. 3D5CPRAH06AAKwith ductless indoor unit D5FPHAH06XAKCarrier (sold as Arcoaire)0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 87.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    150% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    15.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    33.1 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    92.9score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 98

Daikin

  1. 1RXM09WVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXM09WVJUDaikin1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 80.0Meets 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)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    27.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.3 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    88.2score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 97
  2. 2RXM12WVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXM12WVJUDaikin1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets 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
    81.6score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 85
  3. 3RZA18AAVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCA18A*VJUDaikin1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.12 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    61.4score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 55

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