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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 up to 1.5 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.

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

Carrier

  1. 138MARBQ18AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDAQ18XH3CarrierAlso sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH18AAK1.5 tons · 17,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 95% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.3score / 100
  2. 238MARBQ09AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDQ09---3CarrierAlso sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH09AAK1 ton · 9,000 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    74.9score / 100
  3. 338MURAQ18AB3*with ducted air handler FM(C,U)4Z18**ALCarrierAlso sold as Airquest DLCURAH18ABK, Grandaire WDLCURAH18ABK1.5 tons · 17,800 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 106% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    74.7score / 100

Daikin

  1. 1MSH093E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST093E21ADAADaikin (sold as Goodman)1 ton · 9,000 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    74.9score / 100
  2. 2MSH123E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST123E21ADAADaikin (sold as Goodman)Also listed as MSH123G22MCAA1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 97% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.96 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    65.4score / 100
  3. 3ASZS601810A*with indoor coil CA*EA1818*4B and furnace A*VS800604BUADaikin (sold as Amana)Also sold as Goodman GSZS601810A1.5 tons · 16,600 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 78% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    52.7score / 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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