Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

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 average

24 models listed

ZERO

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

119 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°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

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

    DIYCOOL
    79%
    ZERO
    71%

  • Xcel CC

    DIYCOOL
    71%
    ZERO
    65%

  • CEE Advanced

    DIYCOOL
    4%
    ZERO
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    DIYCOOL
    75%
    ZERO
    53%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 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 Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

DIYCOOL

  1. 1ACIQ-60-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-60-AH32DIYCOOL4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    85.1score / 100
  2. 2ACIQ-48-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-48-AH32DIYCOOL4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.9score / 100
  3. 3EZ-48Z-M5BDIYCOOL3.5 tons · 43,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 79% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    70.5score / 100

ZERO

  1. 1Z4SOV-48HDMB-USHHZERO4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.7score / 100
  2. 2Z4SOV-53HDMB-USHHZERO4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 87% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.2score / 100
  3. 3Z4SOV-48HDMB-USZEROAlso listed as Z6SOV-48HDMB-US4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    77.9score / 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.

Open the advanced view