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.

DIAL and PREMIUM LEVELLA 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, DIAL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

DIAL
PREMIUM LEVELLA
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	DIAL	PREMIUM LEVELLA
Efficiency index	55% (higher)median —	45% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	44%median 1.84	44%median 1.86
Capacity retention at 5°F	58% (higher)median 72%	35% (higher)median 62%
HSPF2	51% (higher)median 9.0	42% (higher)median 8.7
SEER2	55% (higher)median 20.5	45% (higher)median 19.8
EER2	54% (higher)median 12.5	36% (higher)median 10.4
Heating capacity at 5°F	55% (higher)median 13,200 Btu/h	36% (higher)median 10,100 Btu/h
Outdoor models	40	40
AHRI certifications	50	48

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	DIAL	PREMIUM LEVELLA
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	82.5%33 models	52.5%21 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	82.5%33 models	50%20 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	70%28 models	27.5%11 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	60%24 models	12.5%5 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 · 6 groups where both have models

DIAL
PREMIUM LEVELLA
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	DIAL	PREMIUM LEVELLA
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	4 · index 50%	1 · index 57%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 62%	None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 72%	2 · index 66%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 51%	1 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	24 · index 50%	26 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	8 · index 56%	5 · index 39%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 63%	8 · index 45%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · index 52%

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	DIALCold-climate score, best model	PREMIUM LEVELLACold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	55.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)9000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 9000Z-DUC-I3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 206838609	46.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ188800B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 211991187
Ducted, 2 tons	64.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)24000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 24000Z-DUC-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 206838612	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)36000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 36000U-DUC-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 206838613	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	79.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)9000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 9000Z-CAS-I15 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 206838614	84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PIACWMZ9082280Bwith ductless indoor unit PIACWMZ9082279A8 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 214717543
Non-ducted, 2 tons	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)24000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 24000Z-CAS-IAlso listed as SZUN24WW2307 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 206838617	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAW2432580Bwith ductless indoor unit PIAW2432579A1 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 214232462
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)36000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 36000U-CAS-IAlso listed as SZUN36WW2304 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 206838618	50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ278800B1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 211991190
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	39.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ488800B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 211991197

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	DIALAll-around score, best model	PREMIUM LEVELLAAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)9000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 9000Z-DUC-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206838609	56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ188800B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991187
Ducted, 2 tons	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)24000Z-03-OAlso listed as MZME24WW3P230BBJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204793304	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)36000Z-04-OAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204793305	75.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ278800B2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991191
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)48000-CHP-Owith ducted air handler 48000-CHP-AHU2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207027469	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PIAWMZ488800B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991199
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	65.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)9000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 9000Z-CAS-I19 of 24 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206838614	84.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PIAW932580Bwith ductless indoor unit PIAW932579A23 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232463
Non-ducted, 2 tons	71.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)24000Z-03-OAlso listed as MZME24WW3P230BBJ7 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204793306	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PIAW2432580Bwith ductless indoor unit PIAW2432579A3 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232462
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)36000Z-04-OAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204793307	67.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ278800B6 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991190
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	51.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ488800B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991197

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	DIAL	PREMIUM LEVELLA
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.2836000-UNI-OAlso listed as SZUN36WW230Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 95% · 2.37PIACWMZ9082280BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 113%36000Z-04-OAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 87% · 101%PIAW1232580BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 83% · 9.536000-UNI-ODucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 95% · 9.7PIAWMZ488800BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 96% · 21.024000Z-03-OAlso listed as MZME24WW3P230BBJDucted, 2 tons	beats 98% · 21.0PIAWMZ278800BDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 84% · 12.536000Z-04-OAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 95% · 15.8PIAW932580BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 92% · 18,000 Btu/hMZME18WW2P230BAJNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 90% · 17,742 Btu/hPIAW1832580BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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DIAL vs PREMIUM LEVELLA heat pumps