Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.

DIRECT AIR and GE Appliances on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, DIRECT AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

DIRECT AIR
GE Appliances
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	DIRECT AIR	GE Appliances
Efficiency index	67% (higher)median —	43% (higher)median — · 27th ranked
COP at 5°F	62% (higher)median 2.00	40% (higher)median 1.80 · 28th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	64% (higher)median 83%	42% (higher)median 61% · 25th ranked
HSPF2	76% (higher)median 10.3	48% (higher)median 8.1 · 17th ranked
SEER2	71% (higher)median 20.5	39% (higher)median 15.2 · 27th ranked
EER2	62% (higher)median 12.0	46% (higher)median 11.5 · 21st ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	66% (higher)median 26,000 Btu/h	44% (higher)median 19,000 Btu/h · 24th ranked
Outdoor models	47	88
AHRI certifications	198	9,036

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	DIRECT AIR	GE Appliances
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	93.6%44 models	46.6%41 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	93.6%44 models	44.3%39 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	2.1%1 models	5.7%5 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	85.1%40 models	40.9%36 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	2.1%1 models	5.7%5 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	87.2%41 models	38.6%34 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 10 groups where both have models

DIRECT AIR
GE Appliances
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	DIRECT AIR	GE Appliances
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	12 · index 73%	10 · index 51%
Ducted, 2 tons	6 · index 63%	11 · index 45%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	13 · index 69%	24 · index 36%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	11 · index 65%	28 · index 42%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 63%	8 · index 37%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	11 · index 75%	14 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 82%	5 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	13 · index 61%	5 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	8 · index 55%	2 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 59%	1 · index 68%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	DIRECT AIRCold-climate score, best model	GE AppliancesCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-18HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-18HP-DU11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217447834	70.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)NS15H18HA5***with ducted air handler D(A,C,E)30B3J+TDR9 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218358333
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DU6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216788527	89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H24MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)24C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF96U070S3B7 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218792657
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-36LCHX-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-36HP-DU11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 216788531	88.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H36MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)36C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U045S3A8 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218792658
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 215213809	87.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H48MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)48D4Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U110S5C9 of 29 models qualify · AHRI 218792661
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218325038
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WM11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216571371	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G12ED2BE**with ductless indoor unit GS12WP2BE14 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 215876552
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-24HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-24HP-CA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216788526	61.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)3G24ED2BE**4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217009765
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-36LCHX-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-36HP-CF11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 216571385	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ036NC2AA*4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218309294
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 215213810	67.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ048NC2AA*2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218309297
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218325037

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	DIRECT AIRAll-around score, best model	GE AppliancesAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-09HP-DU12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217447830	66.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G09ED2BE**with ducted air handler US09MB2BE10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217036500
Ducted, 2 tons	78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-24DA25-1Zwith ducted air handler DIRM4-24HP-DU6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216788529	84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H24MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)24C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF96U070S3B11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218792657
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-36HXPRO28-4ZAlso listed as DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5Z13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213806	79.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)NS21H36MA5-*Awith ducted air handler NAM42V1TA5-23 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217642528
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-48DA25-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48DA25-6Z11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213797	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H48MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)48D4Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U110S5C28 of 28 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218792661
Ducted, 5 tons and up	62.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-60DA25-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218331780	74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ060NC2AA*9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218325038
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WM11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216571371	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G09ED2BE**with ductless indoor unit GS09WP2BE14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215876551
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-24DA25-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-24HP-WM2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216571370	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)3G24ED2BE**5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217009765
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-36HXPRO28-4ZAlso listed as DIRM4-36HXPRO28-5Z13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213805	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ036NC2AA*5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218309294
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIRM4-48HXPRO28-5ZAlso listed as DIRM4-48HXPRO28-6Z8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213808	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ048NC2AA*2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218309297
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIRM4-60DA25-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218331779	67.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218325037

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	DIRECT AIR	GE Appliances
COP at 5°F	beats 99% · 2.51DIRM4-12DA25-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 4.00NS21H36MA5-**ADucted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 126%DIRM4-09HXPRO28-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 109%NS21H24MA5-**ADucted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 14.8DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 13.5MWHQ036NC2AA*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 97% · 25.0DIRM4-27DA25-3Z*Also listed as DIRM4-27DA25-4ZNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 20.5NS21H60MA5-**ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 18.0DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1ZNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 13.5NS16H42SA5-**ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 39,500 Btu/hDIRM4-36LCHX-1ZNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 20,000 Btu/h2G20ED2BE**Ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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DIRECT AIR vs GE Appliances heat pumps