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Daikin vs Rheem: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Daikin model beats 50% and a typical Rheem model 49%. Daikin rates slightly 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

Rheem

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

341 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%Rheem: Beats 59%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDaikin: Beats 48%Rheem: Beats 48%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Daikin: Beats 38%Rheem: Beats 43%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Daikin: Beats 45%Rheem: Beats 42%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Daikin: Beats 54%Rheem: Beats 40%

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%
    Rheem
    36%

  • Xcel CC

    Daikin
    30%
    Rheem
    34%

  • CEE Advanced

    Daikin
    2%
    Rheem
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Daikin
    17%
    Rheem
    33%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 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, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Daikin

  1. 1DH9VSA361CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00ADaikinAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CA3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    88.5score / 100
  2. 2RZA36AAVJU*with ducted air handler FBA36A*VJUDaikin3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 94% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.04 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    70.8score / 100
  3. 3RXTA36AAVJU*Daikin3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    65.2score / 100

Rheem

  1. 1RD18AY36AJVCwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M36FJRheem2.5 tons · 30,800 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 109% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    109% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    94.4score / 100
  2. 2ML36HP230LCMH-Owith ducted air handler ML36HP230HSDUC-IRheem (sold as Mainline)3 tons · 36,000 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)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    83.2score / 100
  3. 3ML36HP230MULH-ORheem (sold as Mainline)Also listed as ML36HP230MULH-O3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 106% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.5score / 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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