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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 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, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 1H5H0V48*K*AAA*with indoor coil D(A,C,E)61A3J+TDR and furnace *80CSU0802120ACarrier (sold as HEIL)3.5 tons · 43,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    89.7score / 100
  2. 2H5H0V60*K*AAA*with indoor coil D(A,C,E)61A3J+TDR and furnace *80CTL1102120BCarrier (sold as HEIL)4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.38 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    84.1score / 100
  3. 3293VAN048**AA*with indoor coil C(A,C,D,E)48C3J+TDR and furnace 88*TB66135C24Carrier (sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems)3.5 tons · 41,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.68 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    83.4score / 100

Daikin

  1. 1RZA42AAVJU*with ducted air handler FBA42A*VJUDaikin3.5 tons · 40,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.04 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    72.1score / 100
  2. 2DPSH04BAPB2****E35**0*DaikinAlso listed as DPSH04BAPB3****E35**0, DPSH04BAPB4****E35**0, DPSH04BAPB5****E35**04 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 99% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    68.2score / 100
  3. 3DH7VSA6010A*with ducted air handler DFVE60DP1300ADaikinAlso sold as Amana AZV7SA6010A, Goodman GZV7SA6010A4.5 tons · 52,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 85% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    67.4score / 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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