Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

DIAL vs PREMIUM LEVELLA: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical DIAL model beats 55% and a typical PREMIUM LEVELLA model 45%. DIAL rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

DIAL

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

40 models listed

PREMIUM LEVELLA

45%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

40 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 44%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIAL: Beats 58%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 35%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIAL: Beats 51%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 42%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIAL: Beats 55%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 45%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIAL: Beats 54%PREMIUM LEVELLA: Beats 36%

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
    83%
    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    53%

  • Xcel CC

    DIAL
    70%
    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    28%

  • CEE Advanced

    DIAL
    0%
    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIAL
    60%
    PREMIUM LEVELLA
    13%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 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 Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

DIAL

  1. 19000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 9000Z-CAS-IDIAL1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.26 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    79.7score / 100
  2. 218000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 18000Z-CAS-IDIALAlso listed as SZUN18WW2301.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 73% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.36 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    73.0score / 100
  3. 312000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 12000Z-CAS-IDIALAlso listed as SZUN12WW2301 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    66.4score / 100

PREMIUM LEVELLA

  1. 1PIACWMZ9082280Bwith ductless indoor unit PIACWMZ9082279APREMIUM LEVELLA1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.37 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    84.7score / 100
  2. 2PIAW932580Bwith ductless indoor unit PIAW932579APREMIUM LEVELLA1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 94% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    74.8score / 100
  3. 3PIAW1232580Bwith ductless indoor unit PIAW1232579APREMIUM LEVELLA1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 101% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    73.5score / 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.

Open the advanced view