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Durastar vs Panasonic: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Durastar model beats 53% and a typical Panasonic model 68%. Panasonic rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Durastar

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

67 models listed

Panasonic

68%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

29 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°FDurastar: Beats 64%Panasonic: Beats 64%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDurastar: Beats 51%Panasonic: Beats 72%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Durastar: Beats 54%Panasonic: Beats 80%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Durastar: Beats 47%Panasonic: Beats 66%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Durastar: Beats 47%Panasonic: Beats 62%

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

    Durastar
    54%
    Panasonic
    97%

  • Xcel CC

    Durastar
    48%
    Panasonic
    90%

  • CEE Advanced

    Durastar
    5%
    Panasonic
    21%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Durastar
    49%
    Panasonic
    79%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Durastar

  1. 1DRA6U48M2ADurastar4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.9Meets 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
    Winter efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    85.1score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 92
  2. 2DRA6H48M2ADurastar4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets 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
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    83.9score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  3. 3DRA6H55M2ADurastar4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets 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
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    82.0score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 83

Panasonic

  1. 1CU-6YM48CBUCPanasonic4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel 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
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    83.9score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2CU-HM48BAHUwith ducted air handler CS-HM48BAHUPanasonic4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 68.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    16.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    57.1score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 45
  3. 3CU-M48BAHUwith indoor coil CS-HM60BAMU3 and furnace S9V2C100D5VSPanasonic4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 60.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.9 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.7 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.3 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    51.1score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 45

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.

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