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DIAL vs PREMIUM LEVELLA: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical DIAL model beats 58% and a typical PREMIUM LEVELLA model 47%. DIAL rates higher overall.

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

DIAL

58%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

7 models listed

PREMIUM LEVELLA

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

17 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°FDIAL: Beats 48%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 55%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIAL: Beats 38%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 35%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIAL: Beats 61%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 47%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIAL: Beats 75%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 48%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIAL: Beats 57%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 42%

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

    DIAL
    100%
    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    71%
  • Xcel CC

    DIAL
    100%
    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    47%
  • CEE Advanced

    DIAL
    0%
    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIAL
    0%
    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    41%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

DIAL

  1. 1A2LSZHW12WW230BDJwith ductless indoor unit A2LSZHW12NN230BDJDIAL1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 59.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    67.7score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 76
  2. 2A2LSZHW12WW115BCJwith ductless indoor unit A2LSZHW12NN115BCJDIAL1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    65.0score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 71
  3. 3A2LSZHW09WW115BDJwith ductless indoor unit A2LSZHW09NN115BDJDIAL1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 39.5Meets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    55.3score / 100Heating 40 · Cooling 71

PREMIUM LEVELLA

  1. 1PIAW1825080ABwith ductless indoor unit PIAW1825079AAPREMIUM LEVELLA1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 79.2Meets 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
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Great
    82.9score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 87
  2. 2PIAW1225080ABwith ductless indoor unit PIAW1225079AAPREMIUM LEVELLA1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 59.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    60.7score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 62
  3. 3PIAWMZ1882280ABPREMIUM LEVELLA1.5 tons · 17,700 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 64.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (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
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    59.7score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 55

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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