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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 47% and a typical Daikin model 45%. Carrier rates slightly higher overall.

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

Carrier

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

701 models listed

Daikin

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

367 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 58%Daikin: Beats 56%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 32%Daikin: Beats 40%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 38%Daikin: Beats 35%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 45%Daikin: Beats 39%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%Daikin: Beats 48%

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
    29%
    Daikin
    27%
  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    17%
    Daikin
    15%
  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    2%
    Daikin
    2%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    9%
    Daikin
    8%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Carrier

  1. 138MURAQ24AB3*with indoor coil H,PG7J936 and furnace 927TA48060V17Carrier (sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems)2 tons · 25,200 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 147% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP
    Heat kept at 5°F
    147% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.72 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    95.9score / 100
  2. 2DLCURAH24ABKwith indoor coil EA*4X24L14A and furnace *80VSL0451412BCarrier (sold as Airquest)2 tons · 23,200 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 101% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    83.1score / 100
  3. 3DLCURAH24AAKwith indoor coil D(A,C,E)24B44+TDR and furnace *80ES(N,L)0902120ACarrier (sold as Tempstar)2 tons · 23,800 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 101% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.66 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    80.0score / 100

Daikin

  1. 1MSH243E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST243E21ADAADaikin (sold as Goodman)Also listed as MSH243G22MCAA2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 108% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    108% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    79.4score / 100
  2. 2RZQ24TBVJU*with ducted air handler FTQ24TAVJU*ADaikin2 tons · 23,400 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.08 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Good
    60.4score / 100
  3. 3RXSQ24TBVJU*Daikin2 tons · 23,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 79% of its heat at 5°FMeets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    59.0score / 100

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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