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Carrier vs Durastar heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Durastar scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Carrier has 701 outdoor models, Durastar has 35 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 Durastar 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, Durastar scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • Carrier
  • Durastar
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CarrierDurastar

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCarrierDurastar
Efficiency index47%median — · 23rd ranked59%median — · 8th ranked
COP at 5°F58% (higher)median 2.00 · 8th ranked54% (higher)median 2.00 · 14th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F32%median 53% · 27th ranked55%median 65% · 14th ranked
HSPF238%median 7.7 · 21st ranked66%median 9.4 · 7th ranked
SEER245%median 15.5 · 20th ranked62%median 19.0 · 7th ranked
EER259% (higher)median 11.5 · 6th ranked57% (higher)median 11.7 · 10th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F35%median 18,300 Btu/h · 27th ranked53%median 20,400 Btu/h · 14th ranked
Outdoor models70135
AHRI certifications367,101293

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCarrierDurastar
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)28.5%200 models57.1%20 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)25.5%179 models51.4%18 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)2%14 models2.9%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)17.1%120 models45.7%16 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge2%14 models2.9%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate8.8%62 models60%21 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 · 9 groups where both have models
  • Carrier
  • Durastar
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.1032 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 typeCarrierDurastar
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons34 · index 48%10 · index 59%
Ducted, 2 tons100 · index 47%3 · index 71%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons195 · index 47%9 · index 53%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons256 · index 43%10 · index 53%
Ducted, 5 tons and up67 · index 60%2 · index 55%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons42 · index 55%8 · index 70%
Non-ducted, 2 tons9 · index 53%2 · index 67%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons31 · index 52%5 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons17 · index 48%4 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 86%None

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 modelDurastarCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons81.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MARBQ18AA3with ducted air handler 40MBDAQ18XH3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH18AAK21 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 21113291874.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H09S1Awith ducted air handler DRAD09F1A7 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 210568115
Ducted, 2 tons95.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MURAQ24AB3*with indoor coil H,PG7J936 and furnace 927TA48060V1735 of 99 models qualify · AHRI 21676197380.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U24S1Bwith ducted air handler DRAD24F1A2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 207787145
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons96.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)38MURAQ36AB3*with indoor coil H,PG48936 and furnace 927TA60080V2143 of 197 models qualify · AHRI 21676198866.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA3H28M1A3 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 210568215
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons87.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*26 of 256 models qualify · AHRI 21335025474.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A2 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 210568221
Ducted, 5 tons and up91.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 67 models qualify · AHRI 213350251None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKAlso sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA324 of 42 models qualify · AHRI 20782664486.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U09S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAW09F1B7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 207787130
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)38MARBQ24AA3with ductless indoor unit 40MBCAQ24XA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCSRBH24AAK5 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 20768329286.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H24S1Awith ductless indoor unit DRAC24F1B2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 210568114
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons85.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*7 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 21335025573.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA4H36M1A4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 210568217
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*11 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 21335025080.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 210568220
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up89.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213350252No models in this size class

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 modelDurastarAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(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 20635032885.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H09S1Awith ducted air handler DRAD09F1A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210568115
Ducted, 2 tons88.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA424A*031*with indoor coil CAP**3721AL*+UI and furnace 58TN*A090C17**16Also sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV024*0**B90 of 92 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21053300883.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U24S1Bwith ducted air handler DRAD24F1A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207787145
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons91.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0367HS-UL162 of 203 models have all five ratings · AHRI 1004987874.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA3H28M1A9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210568215
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons92.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA448A*031*with ducted air handler FE4BNBD60L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 284ANV048*0**B201 of 253 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21336159182.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210568221
Ducted, 5 tons and up91.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)25VNA460A*031*with ducted air handler FE4BNBD60L*+UI40 of 71 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21336159368.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRHP15A60AJ2ANwith ducted air handler F,PE*DD19602 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214077297
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAKAlso sold as Payne 38MPRBQ18AA342 of 42 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782664486.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U09S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAW09F1B8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207787130
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.3(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 20634813872.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U24S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAF24F1A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207787146
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons90.0(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 20844732470.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA4H36M1A5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210568217
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons87.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MCY-MAP0487HS-UL*17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21335025073.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210568220
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up85.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213350252No models in this size class

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
RatingCarrierDurastar
COP at 5°Fbeats 100% · 2.70MCY-MAP0367HS-UL*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 2.45DRA1U12S1BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 160%WDLCURAH18ABKDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 113%DRA1U09S1BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 100% · 15.038MPRBQ09AA3Also sold as Arcoaire DLCPRBH09AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 12.0DRA1H09S1ADucted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 100% · 23.1MCY-MAP0607HS-UL*Non-ducted, 5 tons and upbeats 99% · 20.9DRA5H48M1ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 100% · 13.5T4H5S42*K*AAA*Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 95% · 15.8DRA1H09S1ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 96,220 Btu/h38MURAQ60AB3*Also sold as Grandaire WDLCURAH60ABKDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hDRA2H18M1ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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