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Daikin vs Friedrich: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Daikin model beats 50% and a typical Friedrich model 39%. Daikin rates higher overall.

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

Daikin

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

394 models listed

Friedrich

39%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

188 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°FDaikin: Beats 46%Friedrich: Beats 46%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDaikin: Beats 48%Friedrich: Beats 36%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Daikin: Beats 38%Friedrich: Beats 31%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Daikin: Beats 45%Friedrich: Beats 34%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Daikin: Beats 54%Friedrich: Beats 37%

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

    Daikin
    38%
    Friedrich
    27%
  • Xcel CC

    Daikin
    30%
    Friedrich
    21%
  • CEE Advanced

    Daikin
    2%
    Friedrich
    1%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Daikin
    17%
    Friedrich
    22%

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.

Daikin

  1. 1RXLA36AAVJU*Daikin3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 66.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    76.6score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 86
  2. 2RXTA36AAVJU*Daikin3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 61.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.50 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    74.0score / 100Heating 62 · Cooling 86
  3. 3RZA30AAVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCA30A*VJUDaikin2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 63.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    109% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.92 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    66.5score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 70

Friedrich

  1. 1FPHMR27A3DFriedrich2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 50.2Meets 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.9 (EER2)
    Great
    64.2score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 78
  2. 2FPHMR36A3DFriedrich3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 53.7Meets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.9 (EER2)
    Great
    61.7score / 100Heating 54 · Cooling 70
  3. 3FPHFR36A3Dwith ductless indoor unit FPHSC36A3DFriedrich3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.2Meets 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
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    47.4score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 37

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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