Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

Durastar vs Panasonic heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Durastar scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Durastar has 35 outdoor models, Panasonic has 36 outdoor models. Panasonic has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

CompareData as of updated · 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.
Durastar and Panasonic 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, Durastar scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • Durastar
  • Panasonic
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DurastarPanasonic

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingDurastarPanasonic
Efficiency index59% (higher)median — · 8th ranked47% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F54% (higher)median 2.00 · 14th ranked40% (higher)median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F55% (higher)median 65% · 14th ranked50% (higher)median 68%
HSPF266% (higher)median 9.4 · 7th ranked57% (higher)median 9.2
SEER262% (higher)median 19.0 · 7th ranked48% (higher)median 17.8
EER257% (higher)median 11.7 · 10th ranked39% (higher)median 10.7
Heating capacity at 5°F53%median 20,400 Btu/h · 14th ranked53%median 15,150 Btu/h
Outdoor models3536
AHRI certifications29356

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDurastarPanasonic
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%20 models52.8%19 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)51.4%18 models47.2%17 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)2.9%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)45.7%16 models36.1%13 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge2.9%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate60%21 models36.1%13 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • Durastar
  • Panasonic
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeDurastarPanasonic
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons10 · index 59%7 · index 51%
Ducted, 2 tons3 · index 71%3 · index 53%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons9 · index 53%5 · index 46%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons10 · index 53%3 · index 53%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index 55%1 · index 42%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons8 · index 70%16 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 67%4 · index 40%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons5 · index 63%1 · index 37%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · index 51%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 typeDurastarCold-climate score, best modelPanasonicCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H09S1Awith ducted air handler DRAD09F1A7 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21056811564.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE18YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE18YAC64 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 212396504
Ducted, 2 tons80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U24S1Bwith ducted air handler DRAD24F1A2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 20778714567.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-E24YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE24YAC63 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 212396499
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA3H28M1A3 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 21056821578.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-HE36YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE36YAC62 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212396507
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA5H48M1A2 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21056822173.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE48YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE48YAHK62 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 212396496
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U09S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAW09F1B7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 20778713087.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-XE9WKUAwith ductless indoor unit CS-XE9WKUAW6 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 205047851
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H24S1Awith ductless indoor unit DRAC24F1B2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21056811464.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-XE24WKUAwith ductless indoor unit CS-XE24WKUAW2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 205047855
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA4H36M1A4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 210568217None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 210568220No 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 typeDurastarAll-around score, best modelPanasonicAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H09S1Awith ducted air handler DRAD09F1A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056811575.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-E9SD3UAwith ducted air handler CS-E9SD3UAW7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 9125308
Ducted, 2 tons83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U24S1Bwith ducted air handler DRAD24F1A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20778714565.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE24YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE24YAHK63 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212396493
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA3H28M1A9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056821556.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE36YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE36YAHK65 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212396495
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA5H48M1A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056822153.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-HE55YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE60YAHK63 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212396497
Ducted, 5 tons and up68.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRHP15A60AJ2ANwith ducted air handler F,PE*DD19602 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21407729741.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-E60YAHK6with ducted air handler CS-HE60YAHK61 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212396491
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U09S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAW09F1B8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20778713092.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-XE9WKUAwith ductless indoor unit CS-XE9WKUAW14 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205047851
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U24S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAF24F1A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20778714673.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-4E24RBU-54 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10221204
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA4H36M1A5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056821736.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-5E36QBU-51 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10221207
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210568220No 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
RatingDurastarPanasonic
COP at 5°Fbeats 98% · 2.45DRA1U12S1BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 90% · 2.24CU-E18RKUANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 95% · 113%DRA1U09S1BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 94% · 111%CU-XE9WKUANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 98% · 12.0DRA1H09S1ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 12.0CU-XE9WKUANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 20.9DRA5H48M1ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 97% · 20.5CU-E9SD3UADucted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 95% · 15.8DRA1H09S1ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 16.1CU-XE9WKUANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hDRA2H18M1ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 48,500 Btu/hCU-HE55YAHK6Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers