Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.

Carrier and Daikin on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, Carrier scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Carrier
Daikin
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Carrier	Daikin
Efficiency index	47% (higher)median — · 23rd ranked	45% (higher)median — · 26th ranked
COP at 5°F	58% (higher)median 2.00 · 8th ranked	56% (higher)median 2.00 · 11th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	32%median 53% · 27th ranked	40%median 59% · 25th ranked
HSPF2	38% (higher)median 7.7 · 21st ranked	35% (higher)median 7.5 · 24th ranked
SEER2	45% (higher)median 15.5 · 20th ranked	39% (higher)median 15.2 · 23rd ranked
EER2	59% (higher)median 11.5 · 6th ranked	48% (higher)median 11.2 · 18th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	35%median 18,300 Btu/h · 27th ranked	40%median 18,000 Btu/h · 24th ranked
Outdoor models	701	367
AHRI certifications	367,101	24,263

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Carrier	Daikin
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	28.5%200 models	27%99 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	25.5%179 models	25.6%94 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	2%14 models	1.6%6 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	17.1%120 models	15%55 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	2%14 models	1.6%6 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	8.8%62 models	7.6%28 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 10 groups where both have models

Carrier
Daikin
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Carrier	Daikin
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	34 · index 48%	39 · index 36%
Ducted, 2 tons	100 · index 47%	42 · index 39%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	195 · index 47%	106 · index 44%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	256 · index 43%	128 · index 49%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	67 · index 60%	17 · index 38%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	42 · index 55%	39 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	9 · index 53%	15 · index 45%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	31 · index 52%	15 · index 56%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	17 · index 48%	6 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 86%	2 · index 42%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	CarrierCold-climate score, best model	DaikinCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	81.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ18AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDAQ18XH3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH18AAK21 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 211132918	74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH093E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST093E21ADAA17 of 39 models qualify · AHRI 206900419
Ducted, 2 tons	95.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MURAQ24AB3*with indoor coil H,PG7J936 and furnace 927TA48060V1735 of 99 models qualify · AHRI 216761973	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH243E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST243E21ADAAAlso listed as MSH243G22MCAA15 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 206900422
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	96.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MURAQ36AB3*with indoor coil H,PG48936 and furnace 927TA60080V2143 of 197 models qualify · AHRI 216761988	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST273G22MHAA14 of 105 models qualify · AHRI 214438129
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*26 of 256 models qualify · AHRI 213350254	86.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZQ42TBVJU*with ducted air handler FBQ42TBVJU11 of 127 models qualify · AHRI 211635174
Ducted, 5 tons and up	91.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 67 models qualify · AHRI 213350251	None on this board (0 of 17 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKAlso sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA324 of 42 models qualify · AHRI 207826644	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH183G26MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH183G26AXAA21 of 39 models qualify · AHRI 214438121
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 40MBCAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH24AAK5 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 207683292	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH243E23MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH243E23AXAA9 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 203991093
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*7 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 213350255	88.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RZQ36TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ36AAVJU7 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 211635165
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*11 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 213350250	83.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RZQ42TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ42AAVJU6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 211635166
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	89.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213350252	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	CarrierAll-around score, best model	DaikinAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)38MARBQ09AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDQ09---3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH09AAK32 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206350328	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH093E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST093E21ADAA30 of 32 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206900419
Ducted, 2 tons	88.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA424A031with indoor coil CAP*3721AL+UI and furnace 58TNA090C1716Also sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV0240**B90 of 92 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210533008	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH243E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST243E21ADAAAlso listed as MSH243G22MCAA36 of 44 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206900422
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	91.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0367HS-UL162 of 203 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10049878	83.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST363G22MHAA67 of 110 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438132
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	92.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA448A031with ducted air handler FE4BNBD60L+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV0480**B201 of 253 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213361591	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST483G22MHAA72 of 128 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438135
Ducted, 5 tons and up	91.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA460A031with ducted air handler FE4BNBD60L*+UI40 of 71 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213361593	56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTQ60TBVJU*16 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641707
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKAlso sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA342 of 42 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207826644	93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH183G26MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH183G26AXAA39 of 39 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438121
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 40MAHBQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH24AAK9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206348138	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXSQ24TBVJU*15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641662
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	90.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-SP302AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-SM302UTP-UL27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208447324	81.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZQ30TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ30AAVJU14 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635164
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213350250	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST483G22MHAA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438134
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	85.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213350252	42.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTQ60TBVJU*Also listed as RXSQ60TBVJU2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641661

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	Carrier	Daikin
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 2.70MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 2.50RXTQ36TBVJU*Also listed as RXSQ36TBVJUNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 160%WDLCURAH18ABKDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 141%GSZB401810A*Ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 100% · 15.038MPRBQ09AA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCPRBH09AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 14.5MSH123G26MCAANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 100% · 23.1MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 99% · 22.5DZ9VCA2410A*Also sold as Goodman GSZV902410ADucted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 13.5T4H5S42KAAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 14.5RXSQ24TBVJU*Non-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 96,220 Btu/h38MURAQ60AB3*Also sold as Grandaire WDLCURAH60ABKDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 24,000 Btu/hMSH183G26MCAANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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Carrier vs Daikin heat pumps