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DIYCOOL vs Zenaire heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, DIYCOOL scores higher on 2 of the 6 ratings. DIYCOOL has 75 outdoor models, Zenaire has 12 outdoor models. DIYCOOL and Zenaire have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

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 Zenaire 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 2 of the 6 ratings.
  • DIYCOOL
  • Zenaire
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DIYCOOLZenaire

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingDIYCOOLZenaire
Efficiency index54%median ——median —
COP at 5°F42%median 1.90—median —
Capacity retention at 5°F62%median 78%—median —
HSPF262% (higher)median 9.429% (higher)median 7.5
SEER259% (higher)median 18.930% (higher)median 14.3
EER243%median 11.052%median 11.5
Heating capacity at 5°F62%median 22,530 Btu/h—median —
Outdoor models7512
AHRI certifications17016

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDIYCOOLZenaire
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)65.3%49 models0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)60%45 models0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.3%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)54.7%41 models0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.3%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate45.3%34 models0%0 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 · 5 groups where both have models
  • DIYCOOL
  • Zenaire
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeDIYCOOLZenaire
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons9 · index 57%1 · index —
Ducted, 2 tons8 · index 58%2 · index —
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons14 · index 52%3 · index —
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons16 · index 56%5 · index —
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons21 · index 55%None
Non-ducted, 2 tons6 · index 51%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons15 · index 51%1 · index —
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons8 · index 47%None

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 typeDIYCOOLCold-climate score, best modelZenaireCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 213433267None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 207825560None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB10 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 210857341None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB12 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 210857342None on this board (0 of 5 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC11 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 210857334No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207825563No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B7 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 207825594None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-60FM-HH-MB5 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 210857346No models in this size class

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 typeDIYCOOLAll-around score, best modelZenaireAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825557None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2 tons80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825560None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-27Z-M3B14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210857405None on this board (0 of 3 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825598None on this board (0 of 5 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 5 tons and up41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60-EHPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60AHB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213433261No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC21 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210857334No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825553No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B13 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825594None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207825597No models in this size class

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
RatingDIYCOOLZenaire
COP at 5°Fbeats 91% · 2.21ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 2 tons—
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 144%SC-09ZPL-HP230Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons—
HSPF2beats 99% · 10.3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 49% · 8.1AHP48B18RDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 24.6ES-27Z-M3BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 65% · 16.0AHP48B18RDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 99% · 16.6SC-09ZPL-HP230Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 76% · 12.2AHP24B18RDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 99% · 56,500 Btu/hACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons—

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