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DIRECT AIR vs iCongo: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical DIRECT AIR model beats 67% and a typical iCongo model 42%. 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

iCongo

42%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

47 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%iCongo: Beats 37%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIRECT AIR: Beats 64%iCongo: Beats 52%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIRECT AIR: Beats 76%iCongo: Beats 49%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIRECT AIR: Beats 71%iCongo: Beats 48%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIRECT AIR: Beats 62%iCongo: Beats 28%

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%
    iCongo
    32%

  • Xcel CC

    DIRECT AIR
    85%
    iCongo
    32%

  • CEE Advanced

    DIRECT AIR
    2%
    iCongo
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIRECT AIR
    87%
    iCongo
    0%

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

iCongo

  1. 1ZOT6P-36HIN4-M-SE20with ducted air handler ZVMXFB-36HI1N4-M-SE20iCongo3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 64% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    64% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.3 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    54.1score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 60
  2. 2ZOD-36HIN4-M-SE18Hwith ducted air handler ZVMXFB-36HI1N4-C-M-SE18iCongo3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    115% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.1 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    52.3score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 35
  3. 3ZWDA-36HI1N4-M-SE18iCongo3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 43.5Meets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.2 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.8 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    47.7score / 100Heating 44 · Cooling 52

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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