Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

Durastar vs PERFECTAIRE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, PERFECTAIRE scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Durastar has 35 outdoor models, PERFECTAIRE has 36 outdoor models. PERFECTAIRE has no QMID on file and is not ranked. They share hardware: 33 equipment families appear under both names.

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 PERFECTAIRE 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, PERFECTAIRE scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • Durastar
  • PERFECTAIRE
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DurastarPERFECTA…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingDurastarPERFECTAIRE
Efficiency index59% (higher)median — · 8th ranked58% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F54% (higher)median 2.00 · 14th ranked40% (higher)median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F55%median 65% · 14th ranked63%median 86%
HSPF266%median 9.4 · 7th ranked69%median 9.5
SEER262%median 19.0 · 7th ranked64%median 19.7
EER257% (higher)median 11.7 · 10th ranked52% (higher)median 11.4
Heating capacity at 5°F53%median 20,400 Btu/h · 14th ranked60%median 20,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models3536
AHRI certifications29370

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDurastarPERFECTAIRE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%20 models80.6%29 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)51.4%18 models75%27 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)2.9%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)45.7%16 models66.7%24 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge2.9%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate60%21 models66.7%24 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
  • PERFECTAIRE
  • 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 typeDurastarPERFECTAIRE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons10 · index 59%7 · index 61%
Ducted, 2 tons3 · index 71%4 · index 77%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons9 · index 53%7 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons10 · index 53%6 · index 61%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index 55%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons8 · index 70%15 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 67%3 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons5 · index 63%5 · index 64%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · index 51%4 · index 51%

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 modelPERFECTAIRECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H09S1Awith ducted air handler DRAD09F1A7 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21056811574.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH09-SZOwith ducted air handler 3PAMSDH097 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 207796628
Ducted, 2 tons80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U24S1Bwith ducted air handler DRAD24F1A2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 20778714579.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)1KARDA24SZO20.5with ducted air handler 2PAMSDH24Also listed as 1PAMSHH24-SZW-20.5, 3PAMSHH24-SZO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 206348127
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA3H28M1A3 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 21056821574.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3PAHHSD36-SZOwith ducted air handler 3PAHHSD36-AHU6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 211253526
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A2 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21056822174.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS48-HH-MZO54 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207657345
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U09S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAW09F1B7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 20778713077.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH12-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3PAMSCONH12-28 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 210410111
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H24S1Awith ductless indoor unit DRAC24F1B2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21056811486.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH24-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3PAMSCH242 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 207796635
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA4H36M1A4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21056821773.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS36-HH-MZO44 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 207657341
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21056822080.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS48-HH-MZO52 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 207657344

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 modelPERFECTAIREAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H09S1Awith ducted air handler DRAD09F1A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056811585.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH09-SZOwith ducted air handler 3PAMSDH097 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207796628
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 20778714580.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)1KARDA24SZO20.5with ducted air handler 2PAMSDH24Also listed as 1PAMSHH24-SZW-20.5, 3PAMSHH24-SZO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206348127
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA3H28M1A9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056821574.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS27-HH-MZO37 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657338
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056822182.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS48-HH-MZO56 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657345
Ducted, 5 tons and up68.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRHP15A60AJ2ANwith ducted air handler F,PE*DD19602 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214077297No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U09S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAW09F1B8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20778713084.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH09-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3PAMSHH09-UVWAlso listed as 3KARDA09SZO15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207614054
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U24S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAF24F1A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20778714670.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMSHH24-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3PAMSHH24-UVWAlso listed as 3PAMSHH24-SZO-213 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207614056
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA4H36M1A5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056821770.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS36-HH-MZO45 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657341
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 21056822073.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)3PAMS48-HH-MZO54 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657344

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
RatingDurastarPERFECTAIRE
COP at 5°Fbeats 98% · 2.45DRA1U12S1BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 78% · 2.103PAMSH12B-SZONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 95% · 113%DRA1U09S1BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 93% · 108%3PAMSHH09-SZODucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 98% · 12.0DRA1H09S1ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 12.03PAMSHH09-SZODucted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 20.9DRA5H48M1ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 20.93PAMS48-HH-MZO5Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 95% · 15.8DRA1H09S1ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 15.83PAMSHH09-SZOAlso listed as 3KARDA09SZONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hDRA2H18M1ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/h3PAMS18-HH-MZO2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers