DIYCOOL vs ZENAIRE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, DIYCOOL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. DIYCOOL has 24 outdoor models, ZENAIRE has 24 outdoor models. DIYCOOL and ZENAIRE have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 9, 2026updated Oct 10, 2026 · 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 5 of the 6 ratings.

DIYCOOL
ZENAIRE
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	DIYCOOL	ZENAIRE
Efficiency index	54% (higher)median —	17% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	53%median 2.00	73%median 2.08
Capacity retention at 5°F	51% (higher)median 74%	0% (higher)median 20%
HSPF2	63% (higher)median 9.6	18% (higher)median 7.5
SEER2	60% (higher)median 18.7	17% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	47% (higher)median 11.5	37% (higher)median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	60% (higher)median 23,500 Btu/h	1% (higher)median 4,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	24	24
AHRI certifications	30	48

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	DIYCOOL	ZENAIRE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	79.2%19 models	0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	79.2%19 models	0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	4.2%1 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	70.8%17 models	0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	4.2%1 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	75%18 models	0%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 · 6 groups where both have models

DIYCOOL
ZENAIRE
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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	DIYCOOL	ZENAIRE
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 64%	2 · index —
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 62%	4 · index —
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	7 · index 61%	6 · index —
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	2 · index —
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	6 · index 48%	6 · index 17%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 44%	2 · index —
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 32%	2 · index —
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 53%	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 type	DIYCOOLCold-climate score, best model	ZENAIRECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-24-AH324 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215387242	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
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	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)
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	None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-18ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit EZ-18W-MB3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216980898	None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2 tons	42.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-27Z-M3B1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216980922	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
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	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
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	No 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 type	DIYCOOLAll-around score, best model	ZENAIREAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2 tons	73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-24-AH324 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215387242	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-36-AH324 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215387243	None on this board (0 of 4 models have all five ratings)
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	None on this board (0 of 6 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	73.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EZ-18ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit EZ-18W-MB6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980898	16.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DHP12BC17Qwith ductless indoor unit DHP 12BE17Q1 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211164254
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	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
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	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
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	No 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
Rating	DIYCOOL	ZENAIRE
COP at 5°F	beats 98% · 2.44EZ-18ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 2.21DHP36BC17QNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 94% · 100%ACIQ-48-HP32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 0% · 20%DHP12BC17QNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 91% · 10.3EZ-36-HPBDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 29% · 9.0DHP18BC17QNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 91% · 20.0EZ-48Z-M5BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 30% · 20.0DHP12AC17QNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 83% · 12.0ACIQ-48-HP32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 67% · 11.7BHP42B15S2R5Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hACIQ-60-HP32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 1% · 5,200 Btu/hDHP36BC17QNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

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