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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 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, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZDIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.7score / 100
  2. 2DIRM4-60HXPRO28-6ZDIRECT AIR4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 87% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.2score / 100
  3. 3DIRM4-48LCHX-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-48HP-DUDIRECT AIR4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 91% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    91% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    78.2score / 100

GE Appliances

  1. 1NS21H48MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)48D4Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U110S5CGE Appliances (sold as GE)3.5 tons · 44,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.57 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    87.5score / 100
  2. 2NS18H60HA5***with ducted air handler D(A,C,E)60A4J+TDRGE Appliances4 tons · 48,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.49 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    83.3score / 100
  3. 3MWHQ048NC2AA*GE Appliances4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 98% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    80.4score / 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.

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