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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 2.5–3 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.

Durastar

  1. 1DRA5H36M2ADurastar3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 104% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    104% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    72.6score / 100
  2. 2DRA1H33S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAW33F2ADurastar3 tons · 33,000 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)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    56.5score / 100
  3. 3DRA4H28M2ADurastar2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    53.7score / 100

PERFECTAIRE

  1. 14PAMS36-HH-MZO4PERFECTAIREAlso listed as 4PAMS36-HH-MZO53 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 104% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    104% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    72.6score / 100
  2. 24PAMS27-HH-MZO3PERFECTAIREAlso listed as 4PAMS27-HH-MZO42.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    53.7score / 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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