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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM4-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-06HP-WMDIRECT AIR0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 96.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    14.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    96.2score / 100Heating 97 · Cooling 96
  2. 2DIRM4-09DA25-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-09HP-CODIRECT AIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.5Meets 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
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    92.6score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 96
  3. 3DIRM4-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM4-09HP-CODIRECT AIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    126% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    27.2 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.1 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 96

ZERO

  1. 1ZMSB-09HV-USHHR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-09HV-USHHR2-IZERO1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 85.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.33 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    24.6 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.7 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100Heating 86 · Cooling 87
  2. 2ZMSB-09HV-USHHCR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-09HV-USHHCR2-IZERO1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 65.1Meets 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    79.5score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 94
  3. 3ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-Owith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-IZERO1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.35 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.5 (EER2)
    Great
    76.6score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 80

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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