DIYCOOL vs ZERO: heat pump ratings compared
Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical DIYCOOL model beats 54% and a typical ZERO model 53%. DIYCOOL rates slightly higher overall.
Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated
DIYCOOL
54%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
About average24 models listed
ZERO
53%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
About average119 models listed
- Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FDIYCOOL: Beats 53%ZERO: Beats 45%
- Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDIYCOOL: Beats 51%ZERO: Beats 52%
- Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2DIYCOOL: Beats 63%ZERO: Beats 57%
- Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2DIYCOOL: Beats 60%ZERO: Beats 58%
- Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2DIYCOOL: Beats 47%ZERO: Beats 48%
Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison
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Rebate standards
CEE 2025
- DIYCOOL
- 79%
- ZERO
- 71%
Xcel CC
- DIYCOOL
- 71%
- ZERO
- 65%
CEE Advanced
- DIYCOOL
- 4%
- ZERO
- 0%
ENERGY STAR CC
- DIYCOOL
- 75%
- ZERO
- 53%
All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons
Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.
Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?
DIYCOOL
- 1ACIQ-36-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-36-AH32DIYCOOL3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 76.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.0 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.2 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.5 (EER2)
- Good
- 2EZ-36-HPBwith ducted air handler EZ-36-AHBDIYCOOL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Top 10%
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.90 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 10.3 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 17.4 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
- 3EZ-36Z-M4BDIYCOOL3 tons · 33,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 61.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Below the middle
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 9.5 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
ZERO
- 1Z4SOV-36HDMB-USHHZERO3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Top 10%
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.4 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.4 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 2Z4SOV-27HDMB-USHHZERO2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets 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
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 9.5 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 3Z3SOV-27HDTB-USZERO2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.88 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 9.0 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 22.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Great
These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.
Next steps
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