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DIAL vs STEALTH: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical DIAL model beats 58% and a typical STEALTH model 54%. DIAL rates slightly 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

STEALTH

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

11 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%STEALTH: Beats 53%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIAL: Beats 38%STEALTH: Beats 59%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIAL: Beats 61%STEALTH: Beats 59%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIAL: Beats 75%STEALTH: Beats 62%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIAL: Beats 57%STEALTH: Beats 39%

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%
    STEALTH
    73%

  • Xcel CC

    DIAL
    100%
    STEALTH
    64%

  • CEE Advanced

    DIAL
    0%
    STEALTH
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIAL
    0%
    STEALTH
    0%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

DIAL

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from DIAL.

STEALTH

  1. 1AC-36-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-36-AH-E-32STEALTH3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 65% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    66% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    42.6score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 32
  2. 2AC-30-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-30-AH-E-32STEALTH2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 68% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    69% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    42.1score / 100Heating 44 · Cooling 41

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