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DIRECT AIR vs GE Appliances: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical DIRECT AIR model beats 67% and a typical GE Appliances model 43%. DIRECT AIR rates higher overall.

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

DIRECT AIR

67%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

47 models listed

GE Appliances

43%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

88 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°FDIRECT AIR: Beats 62%GE Appliances: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIRECT AIR: Beats 64%GE Appliances: Beats 42%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIRECT AIR: Beats 76%GE Appliances: Beats 48%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIRECT AIR: Beats 71%GE Appliances: Beats 39%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIRECT AIR: Beats 62%GE Appliances: Beats 46%

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

    DIRECT AIR
    94%
    GE Appliances
    47%
  • Xcel CC

    DIRECT AIR
    85%
    GE Appliances
    41%
  • CEE Advanced

    DIRECT AIR
    2%
    GE Appliances
    6%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIRECT AIR
    87%
    GE Appliances
    39%

All-around best, ducted 2 tons

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

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM4-24DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DUDIRECT AIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    78.8score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 81
  2. 2DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DUDIRECT AIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 85.7Meets 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
    2.18 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    78.4score / 100Heating 86 · Cooling 71
  3. 3DIRM4-27DA25-3Z*DIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-27DA25-4Z2 tons · 26,600 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.6Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    64.5score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 81

GE Appliances

  1. 1NS21H24MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)24C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF96U070S3BGE Appliances (sold as GE)2 tons · 21,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 89.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    109% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.73 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    84.9score / 100Heating 89 · Cooling 81
  2. 2NS19H36MA5-**Awith indoor coil NCU[C,U]24BT5*-**+TDR and furnace NF97U070V3BGE Appliances (sold as GE)2 tons · 23,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 42.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    68% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.02 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    68.5score / 100Heating 45 · Cooling 92
  3. 3NS18H24HA5***with indoor coil D(A,C,E)36C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U070S3AGE Appliances2 tons · 23,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 86.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    67.8score / 100Heating 82 · Cooling 54

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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