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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 55% and a typical STEALTH model 57%. STEALTH rates slightly 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

STEALTH

57%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

42 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%STEALTH: Beats 45%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIAL: Beats 58%STEALTH: Beats 61%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIAL: Beats 51%STEALTH: Beats 69%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIAL: Beats 55%STEALTH: Beats 61%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIAL: Beats 54%STEALTH: Beats 45%

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%
    STEALTH
    62%

  • Xcel CC

    DIAL
    70%
    STEALTH
    48%

  • CEE Advanced

    DIAL
    0%
    STEALTH
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIAL
    60%
    STEALTH
    50%

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), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

DIAL

  1. 136000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 36000U-DUC-IDIAL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.1score / 100
  2. 236000-CHP-Owith ducted air handler 36000-CHP-AHUDIAL3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    75.1score / 100
  3. 336000Z-04-ODIALAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJ2.5 tons · 32,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 113% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    113% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.9 (HSPF2)
    Good
    69.2score / 100

STEALTH

  1. 1ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MBSTEALTH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.98 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    79.9score / 100
  2. 2ACIQ-36-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36-ACLSTEALTH3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    78.6score / 100
  3. 3ACIQ-36-HPCwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36-AHBSTEALTH3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 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)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.96 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.9score / 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