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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 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 Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Durastar

  1. 1DRA1H06S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAL0612F2ADurastar0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 109% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    109% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    94.4score / 100
  2. 2DRA1U09S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAS09F2ADurastar1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    89.5score / 100
  3. 3DRA1U18S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAS16F2ADurastar1.5 tons · 16,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.16 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    78.7score / 100

Panasonic

  1. 1CU-XZ9AKUACwith ductless indoor unit CS-XZ9AKUAWPanasonic0.5 tons · 8,700 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 134% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    134% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    94.9score / 100
  2. 2CU-2Z18ABUCPanasonic1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 122% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    122% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.15 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    91.9score / 100
  3. 3CU-XZ18AKUACwith ductless indoor unit CS-XZ18AKUAWPanasonic1.5 tons · 17,200 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.22 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    90.5score / 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.

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