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Durastar vs PERFECTAIRE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Durastar model beats 53% and a typical PERFECTAIRE model 62%. PERFECTAIRE 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

PERFECTAIRE

62%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

22 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%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 55%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDurastar: Beats 51%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 71%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Durastar: Beats 54%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 71%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Durastar: Beats 47%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 57%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Durastar: Beats 47%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 61%

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%
    PERFECTAIRE
    82%

  • Xcel CC

    Durastar
    48%
    PERFECTAIRE
    82%

  • CEE Advanced

    Durastar
    5%
    PERFECTAIRE
    5%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Durastar
    49%
    PERFECTAIRE
    82%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Durastar

  1. 1DRA1H06S2Awith ducted air handler DRADL0612F2ADurastar0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 93.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.41 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    95.0score / 100Heating 94 · Cooling 97
  2. 2DRA1H09S2Awith ducted air handler DRADL0612F2ADurastar1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    112% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 94
  3. 3DRA1U09S2Awith ducted air handler DRADH0912F2ADurastar1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.8score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 80

PERFECTAIRE

  1. 14PAMS18-HH-MZO2PERFECTAIREAlso listed as 4PAMS18-HH-MZO31.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 84

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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