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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 61% and a typical ZERO model 49%. DIRECT AIR rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

DIRECT AIR

61%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

68 models listed

ZERO

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

69 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 53%ZERO: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIRECT AIR: Beats 61%ZERO: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIRECT AIR: Beats 60%ZERO: Beats 46%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIRECT AIR: Beats 56%ZERO: Beats 53%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIRECT AIR: Beats 53%ZERO: 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
    60%
    ZERO
    59%

  • Xcel CC

    DIRECT AIR
    54%
    ZERO
    48%

  • CEE Advanced

    DIRECT AIR
    2%
    ZERO
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIRECT AIR
    50%
    ZERO
    25%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 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 Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

DIRECT AIR

  1. 1DIRM-06HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM-06HP-WMDIRECT AIR0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 107% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    107% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    89.3score / 100
  2. 2DIRM-09DA25-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM-09HP-WMDIRECT AIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.19 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.0score / 100
  3. 3DIRM-09HXPRO28-1Zwith ductless indoor unit DIRM-09HP-WMDIRECT AIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 88% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    76.2score / 100

ZERO

  1. 1ZMSB-09HV-USHHwith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-09HV-USHHZERO1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.22 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.0score / 100
  2. 2ZMSB-12HV-USHHwith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-12HV-USHHZERO1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 74% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.8score / 100
  3. 3ZMSB-18HV-USHHwith ductless indoor unit ZMSB-18HV-USHHZERO1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.35 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    75.3score / 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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