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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 2.5–3 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). What size is my system?

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM4-36HXPRO28-4ZDIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5Z3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2DIRM4-36LCHX-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-36HP-DUDIRECT AIR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.7 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.8score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 72
  3. 3DIRM4-27DA25-3ZDIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-28HXPRO28-3Z, DIRM4-28HXPRO28-4Z2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 82

GE Appliances

  1. 1NS21H36MA5-**Awith ducted air handler NAM42V1TA5*-GE Appliances (sold as GE)3 tons · 34,800 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 88.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.08 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    79.8score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 93
  2. 2MWHQ036NC2AA*GE Appliances3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.9 (EER2)
    Good
    74.4score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 70
  3. 3NS18H36HA5***with ducted air handler L(E,G)M36IJGE Appliances3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.61 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    73.0score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 66

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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