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Carrier vs Daikin heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Carrier and Daikin split the 6 ratings 3–3. Carrier has 816 outdoor models, Daikin has 394 outdoor models.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

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 and Daikin split the 6 ratings 3–3.
  • Carrier
  • Daikin
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CarrierDaikin

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCarrierDaikin
Efficiency index48%median — · 23rd ranked50%median — · 19th ranked
COP at 5°F56% (higher)median 2.04 · 16th ranked46% (higher)median 1.94 · 20th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F34%median 53% · 28th ranked48%median 68% · 20th ranked
HSPF240% (higher)median 7.8 · 25th ranked38% (higher)median 7.8 · 26th ranked
SEER242%median 15.2 · 23rd ranked45%median 16.6 · 20th ranked
EER259% (higher)median 11.5 · 8th ranked54% (higher)median 11.7 · 13th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F37%median 18,600 Btu/h · 27th ranked47%median 23,200 Btu/h · 20th ranked
Outdoor models816394
AHRI certifications521,40321,282

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCarrierDaikin
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)40.2%328 models38.1%150 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)35.3%288 models34.8%137 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1%8 models1.8%7 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)27.2%222 models29.7%117 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1%8 models1.8%7 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate26.7%218 models17.3%68 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
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 modelsmedian

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeCarrierDaikin
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons69 · index 56%30 · index 36%
Ducted, 2 tons93 · index 47%47 · index 44%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons228 · index 45%105 · index 52%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons306 · index 44%152 · index 57%
Ducted, 5 tons and up68 · index 50%16 · index 50%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons54 · index 59%43 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 2 tons16 · index 57%13 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons30 · index 55%8 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons22 · index 47%7 · index 33%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up4 · index 57%1 · index 48%

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 typeCarrierCold-climate score, best modelDaikinCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK30 of 68 models qualify · AHRI 21532379862.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZA18AAVJU*with ducted air handler FTA18A*VJU11 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 217175214
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)37MAHAQ24AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ24XH3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK44 of 94 models qualify · AHRI 21532381789.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DH9VSA241CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA241CA, Goodman GZV9SA241CA12 of 47 models qualify · AHRI 216699791
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)37MGHAQ36EA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK59 of 229 models qualify · AHRI 21535711988.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DH9VSA361CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CA36 of 105 models qualify · AHRI 216699792
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons89.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H5H0V48*K*AAA*with indoor coil D(A,C,E)61A3J+TDR and furnace *80CSU0802120A63 of 293 models qualify · AHRI 21837271472.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZA42AAVJU*with ducted air handler FBA42A*VJU49 of 152 models qualify · AHRI 217175223
Ducted, 5 tons and up94.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL19 of 80 models qualify · AHRI 21676324977.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTA60AAVJU*1 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 217178417
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)D5CPRAH18AAwith ductless indoor unit D5FPHAH18XAK35 of 54 models qualify · AHRI 21541321480.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXM09WVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXM09WVJU34 of 43 models qualify · AHRI 212494257
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MBCAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK15 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 21532381576.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTA24AAVJU*10 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 217178408
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MBHAQ36AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MCFAQ36XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CLHAH36AAK21 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 21532384366.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXLA36AAVJU*8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 217178412
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-BP421AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB421CTP-UL18 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 21641547246.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXLA48AAVJU*7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217178413
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up50.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)37VMB060HDS3-11 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21636971470.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RXTA60AAVJU*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217178411

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 typeCarrierAll-around score, best modelDaikinAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK64 of 68 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21532379865.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZA18AAVJU*with ducted air handler FBA18A*VJU27 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217175219
Ducted, 2 tons82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)27VNA324A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BN(B,X)C36L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN024**AA, HEIL B5H3V24*K*AAA90 of 90 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21762425287.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DH9VSA241CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA241CA, Goodman GZV9SA241CA30 of 42 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216699791
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons88.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ducted air handler RAV-HB301BTP-UL209 of 230 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21641547789.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DH9VSA361CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CA76 of 107 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216699792
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons90.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27VNA154A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 291VAN054**AA241 of 275 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21558791779.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DPSH04BAPB2****E35**0*Also listed as DPSH04BAPB3****E35**0, DPSH04BAPB4****E35**0, DPSH04BAPB5****E35**0118 of 153 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216030296
Ducted, 5 tons and up89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27VNA360A*030*with ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 293VAN060**AA, HEIL B5H3V60*K*AAA81 of 101 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21593148462.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DH7TCA6010A*with ducted air handler DMVT60DP1300AAlso sold as Goodman GLZT7CA6010A, Amana ALZT7CA6010A18 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215657382
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MAHAQ06AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MAHAQ06XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH06AAK51 of 54 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21532374288.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXM09WVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXM09WVJU43 of 43 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212494257
Non-ducted, 2 tons88.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)37MARAQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 45MAHAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire D5CSRAH24AAK15 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21532375285.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTA24AAVJU*13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217178408
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons91.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ductless indoor unit RAV-HB301UTP-UL29 of 30 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21641546576.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXLA36AAVJU*8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217178412
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MUB0488HS2P-UL20 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21676028848.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXLA48AAVJU*7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217178413
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MUB0608HS2P-UL4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21676325148.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTA60AAVJU*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217178411

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
RatingCarrierDaikin
COP at 5°Fbeats 100% · 2.50MCY-MUB0488HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 2.50RXTA36AAVJU*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 150%37MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 109%RZA30AAVJU*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 100% · 15.637MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 87% · 11.2RXM09WVJU*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 100% · 35.137MPRAQ06AA3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 21.0DH9VSA361CA*Also sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CADucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 100% · 17.2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 14.8RXTA24AAVJU*Non-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 61,000 Btu/hH5H0V60*K*AAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 21,600 Btu/hRXM18WVJU*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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