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.

Daikin and Friedrich 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, Daikin scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Daikin
Friedrich
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Daikin	Friedrich
Efficiency index	45%median — · 26th ranked	46%median — · 25th ranked
COP at 5°F	56%median 2.00 · 11th ranked	58%median 2.10 · 9th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	40%median 59% · 25th ranked	45%median 61% · 20th ranked
HSPF2	35% (higher)median 7.5 · 24th ranked	31% (higher)median 7.5 · 26th ranked
SEER2	39% (higher)median 15.2 · 23rd ranked	36% (higher)median 15.2 · 26th ranked
EER2	48% (higher)median 11.2 · 18th ranked	39% (higher)median 10.6 · 26th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	40% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h · 24th ranked	39% (higher)median 15,600 Btu/h · 25th ranked
Outdoor models	367	117
AHRI certifications	24,263	3,083

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Daikin	Friedrich
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	27%99 models	37.6%44 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	25.6%94 models	37.6%44 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.6%6 models	1.7%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	15%55 models	31.6%37 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.6%6 models	1.7%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	7.6%28 models	28.2%33 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

Daikin
Friedrich
All models of the group

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Daikin	Friedrich
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	39 · index 36%	21 · index 27%
Ducted, 2 tons	42 · index 39%	16 · index 45%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	106 · index 44%	22 · index 52%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	128 · index 49%	28 · index 47%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	17 · index 38%	7 · index —
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	39 · index 49%	19 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	15 · index 45%	6 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	15 · index 56%	6 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 57%	1 · index 45%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	2 · index 42%	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 type	DaikinCold-climate score, best model	FriedrichCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH093E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST093E21ADAA17 of 39 models qualify · AHRI 206900419	55.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR09A3Awith ducted air handler FPHFD09A3A4 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 205048198
Ducted, 2 tons	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH243E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST243E21ADAAAlso listed as MSH243G22MCAA15 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 206900422	74.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHU5 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 213829710
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST273G22MHAA14 of 105 models qualify · AHRI 214438129	80.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ36AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ3621MEAAM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHU5 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 213829722
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	86.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RZQ42TBVJU*with ducted air handler FBQ42TBVJU11 of 127 models qualify · AHRI 211635174	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace FR962V1005A21M47 of 28 models qualify · AHRI 214279028
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 17 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH183G26MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH183G26AXAA21 of 39 models qualify · AHRI 214438121	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR09A3Awith ductless indoor unit FPHFC09A3B18 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 205048197
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH243E23MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH243E23AXAA9 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 203991093	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR24A3Awith ductless indoor unit FPHFC24A3B5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 205123805
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	88.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RZQ36TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ36AAVJU7 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 211635165	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR36A3Awith ductless indoor unit FPHSC36A3B2 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 205150421
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RZQ42TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ42AAVJU6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 211635166	41.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHMR42A3A1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 205141513
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	No 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 type	DaikinAll-around score, best model	FriedrichAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH093E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST093E21ADAA30 of 32 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206900419	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHFR09A3Awith ducted air handler FPHFD09A3A14 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205048198
Ducted, 2 tons	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH243E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST243E21ADAAAlso listed as MSH243G22MCAA36 of 44 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206900422	83.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace FR801V0504A17UHU12 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213829710
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST363G22MHAA67 of 110 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438132	86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FRP18AZ36AJVCwith ducted air handler FRHMVZ6021SEACA12 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213087287
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MST483G22MHAA72 of 128 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438135	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FRP18AZ48AJVCwith indoor coil TCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace FR802V1005A21UH17 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214610153
Ducted, 5 tons and up	56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTQ60TBVJU*16 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641707	70.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FWP15AZ60AJ2Nwith indoor coil TCFZ6024STANM and furnace FR97MV1005A21DH1 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213841738
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH183G26MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH183G26AXAA39 of 39 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438121	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MRH09Y3JAwith ductless indoor unit MWH09Y3JA19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 201763897
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RXSQ24TBVJU*15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641662	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHMR24A3A6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204101246
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	81.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RZQ30TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ30AAVJU14 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635164	69.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHMR36A3A2 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204101247
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MST483G22MHAA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438134	44.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)FPHMR42A3A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205141512
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	42.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTQ60TBVJU*Also listed as RXSQ60TBVJU2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641661	No 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
Rating	Daikin	Friedrich
COP at 5°F	beats 99% · 2.50RXTQ36TBVJU*Also listed as RXSQ36TBVJUNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 97% · 2.80WFPU17Z243CDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 141%GSZB401810A*Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 105%FRP18AZ48AJVCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 100% · 14.5MSH123G26MCAANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 83% · 9.5FPHFR36A3ADucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 22.5DZ9VCA2410A*Also sold as Goodman GSZV902410ADucted, 2 tons	beats 96% · 27.5MRH09Y3JANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 14.5RXSQ24TBVJU*Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 93% · 15.5MRH09Y3JANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 24,000 Btu/hMSH183G26MCAANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 43,500 Btu/hFRP18AZ36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

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Daikin vs Friedrich heat pumps