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DIRECT AIR vs ZERO: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical DIRECT AIR model beats 67% and a typical ZERO model 53%. 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

ZERO

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

119 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%ZERO: Beats 45%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIRECT AIR: Beats 64%ZERO: Beats 52%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIRECT AIR: Beats 76%ZERO: Beats 57%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIRECT AIR: Beats 71%ZERO: Beats 58%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIRECT AIR: Beats 62%ZERO: Beats 48%

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%
    ZERO
    71%

  • Xcel CC

    DIRECT AIR
    85%
    ZERO
    65%

  • CEE Advanced

    DIRECT AIR
    2%
    ZERO
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIRECT AIR
    87%
    ZERO
    53%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 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 · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.4Meets 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)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    75.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 79
  2. 2DIRM4-48DA25-5ZDIRECT AIRAlso listed as DIRM4-48DA25-6Z4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 56.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.2 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    68.6score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 81
  3. 3DIRM4-60HXPRO28-6ZDIRECT AIR4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 66.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.2 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    63.6score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 74

ZERO

  1. 1Z4SOV-53HDMB-USHHZERO4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 67
  2. 2Z4SOV-48HDMB-USHHZERO4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.7Meets 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)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.2 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 63
  3. 3Z4SOV-48HDMB-USZEROAlso listed as Z6SOV-48HDMB-US4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 60.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.9 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.9 (EER2)
    Good
    52.8score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 46

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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