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Carrier vs Durastar: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Carrier model beats 48% and a typical Durastar model 53%. Durastar rates 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

Durastar

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

67 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%Durastar: Beats 64%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 34%Durastar: Beats 51%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 40%Durastar: Beats 54%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 42%Durastar: Beats 47%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%Durastar: Beats 47%

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%
    Durastar
    54%

  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Durastar
    48%

  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    1%
    Durastar
    5%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Durastar
    49%

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.

Showing Ducted, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 137MAHAQ24AA3with ducted air handler 45MBDAQ24XH3CarrierAlso sold as Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.18 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    85.7score / 100
  2. 237MUHAQ24AA3with ducted air handler L(E,G)M36DJCarrier2 tons · 22,800 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)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    82.7score / 100
  3. 3H5H0V24*K*AAA*with indoor coil D(A,C,E)37A3J+TDR and furnace *96CTN0601714BCarrier (sold as HEIL)2 tons · 22,800 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 94% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.76 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    81.2score / 100

Durastar

  1. 1DRA1H24S2Awith ducted air handler DRADH24F2ADurastar2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.18 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    85.7score / 100
  2. 2DRA1U24S2Awith ducted air handler DRADH24F2ADurastar2 tons · 24,000 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
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    77.1score / 100
  3. 3DRU1H24S2Awith ducted air handler DRUM1824S2ADurastar2 tons · 23,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.87 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    66.4score / 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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