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.

DIYCOOL and Nortek Global HVAC 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, DIYCOOL scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

DIYCOOL
Nortek Global HVAC
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	DIYCOOL	Nortek Global HVAC
Efficiency index	54% (higher)median —	31% (higher)median — · 29th ranked
COP at 5°F	53% (higher)median 2.00	23% (higher)median 1.75 · 29th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	51% (higher)median 74%	28% (higher)median 49% · 29th ranked
HSPF2	63% (higher)median 9.6	28% (higher)median 7.5 · 29th ranked
SEER2	60% (higher)median 18.7	32% (higher)median 14.3 · 29th ranked
EER2	47% (higher)median 11.5	42% (higher)median 11.0 · 22nd ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	60% (higher)median 23,500 Btu/h	28% (higher)median 16,200 Btu/h · 29th ranked
Outdoor models	24	109
AHRI certifications	30	781

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	DIYCOOL	Nortek Global HVAC
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	79.2%19 models	28.4%31 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	79.2%19 models	24.8%27 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	4.2%1 models	1.8%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	70.8%17 models	20.2%22 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	4.2%1 models	1.8%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	75%18 models	11%12 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 · 7 groups where both have models

DIYCOOL
Nortek Global HVAC
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	DIYCOOL	Nortek Global HVAC
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 64%	15 · index 25%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 62%	28 · index 25%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	7 · index 61%	38 · index 30%
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	6 · index 25%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	4 · index 18%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	6 · index 48%	12 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 44%	4 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 32%	6 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 53%	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	DIYCOOLCold-climate score, best model	Nortek Global HVACCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	39.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746315
Ducted, 2 tons	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-24-AH324 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215387242	49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH1 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 215746317
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-36-AH324 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215387243	76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD36MSK3IH3 of 29 models qualify · AHRI 217138207
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-60-AH327 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 215387245	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD60MSK3IH2 of 38 models qualify · AHRI 217138209
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EZ-18ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit EZ-18W-MB3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216980898	66.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)WHS18SZB21Swith ductless indoor unit WHS18WMB21S10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217101981
Non-ducted, 2 tons	42.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-27Z-M3B1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216980922	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH24FMK3IH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215746311
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	41.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-36Z-M4B1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216980923	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH36FMK3IH5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746313
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	45.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-48Z-M5B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216980928	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215746314

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	DIYCOOLAll-around score, best model	Nortek Global HVACAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746315
Ducted, 2 tons	73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-24-AH324 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215387242	72.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD24MSK3IH15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138206
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-36-AH324 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215387243	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH25 of 28 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746318
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-48-AH327 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215387244	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IH35 of 38 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138208
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	17.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RHPXYB060AJT1 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217469149
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	73.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-18ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit EZ-18W-MB6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980898	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IH12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011767
Non-ducted, 2 tons	56.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit EZ-24W-MB3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980899	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH24PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH24PUK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011771
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	53.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-36Z-M4B2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980923	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH30FMK3IH6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746312
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	52.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-48Z-M5B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980926	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746314

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	DIYCOOL	Nortek Global HVAC
COP at 5°F	beats 98% · 2.44EZ-18ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 2.53WHS18SZB21SNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 94% · 100%ACIQ-48-HP32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 114%UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 91% · 10.3EZ-36-HPBDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 90% · 10.5UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 91% · 20.0EZ-48Z-M5BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 97% · 26.0DXH24PSK3IHNon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 83% · 12.0ACIQ-48-HP32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 94% · 13.0DXH42FMK3IHNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hACIQ-60-HP32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hUXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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DIYCOOL vs Nortek Global HVAC heat pumps