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COSTWAY vs DIRECT AIR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical COSTWAY model beats 46% and a typical DIRECT AIR model 67%. DIRECT AIR rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

COSTWAY

46%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

47 models listed

DIRECT AIR

67%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

47 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°FCOSTWAY: Beats 57%DIRECT AIR: Beats 62%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCOSTWAY: Beats 35%DIRECT AIR: Beats 64%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2COSTWAY: Beats 45%DIRECT AIR: Beats 76%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2COSTWAY: Beats 49%DIRECT AIR: Beats 71%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2COSTWAY: Beats 36%DIRECT AIR: Beats 62%

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

    COSTWAY
    64%
    DIRECT AIR
    94%
  • Xcel CC

    COSTWAY
    43%
    DIRECT AIR
    85%
  • CEE Advanced

    COSTWAY
    0%
    DIRECT AIR
    2%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    COSTWAY
    30%
    DIRECT AIR
    87%

All-around best, ductless 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

COSTWAY

  1. 1FP10840US-WHCOSTWAY2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    66.6score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 76
  2. 2FP11134US*COSTWAY2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    65.1score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 73
  3. 3FP10842US-WHCOSTWAY3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 51.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 74

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM4-36HXPRO28-4ZDIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5Z3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.3score / 100Heating 76 · Cooling 81
  2. 2DIRM4-27DA25-3ZDIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-28HXPRO28-3Z, DIRM4-28HXPRO28-4Z2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 72.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    74.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 76
  3. 3DIRM4-27DA25-3Z*DIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-27DA25-4Z2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 41.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    66.3score / 100Heating 41 · Cooling 91

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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