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Durastar vs PERFECTAIRE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, PERFECTAIRE scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Durastar has 67 outdoor models, PERFECTAIRE has 22 outdoor models. PERFECTAIRE has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

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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 5 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 index53%median — · 15th ranked62%median —
COP at 5°F64% (higher)median 2.10 · 4th ranked55% (higher)median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F51%median 70% · 15th ranked71%median 94%
HSPF254%median 7.8 · 13th ranked71%median 10.1
SEER247%median 15.2 · 19th ranked57%median 20.0
EER247%median 10.8 · 18th ranked61%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F53%median 19,600 Btu/h · 15th ranked70%median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models6722
AHRI certifications91342

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDurastarPERFECTAIRE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)53.7%36 models81.8%18 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)52.2%35 models77.3%17 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)4.5%3 models4.5%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)47.8%32 models81.8%18 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge4.5%3 models4.5%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate49.3%33 models81.8%18 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 · 7 groups where both have models
  • Durastar
  • PERFECTAIRE
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 tons15 · index 64%2 · index 77%
Ducted, 2 tons10 · index 45%None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons16 · index 44%4 · index 81%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons17 · index 50%4 · index 83%
Ducted, 5 tons and up6 · index 41%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons11 · index 66%12 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 64%2 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 54%4 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 57%4 · index 60%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 27%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 modelPERFECTAIRECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H06S2Awith ducted air handler DRADL0612F2A10 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 21535924470.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS18-HH-MZO2Also listed as 4PAMS18-HH-MZO32 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217221808
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H24S2Awith ducted air handler DRADH24F2A5 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 215359268No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H36M2A6 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 21535922282.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS36-HH-MZO4Also listed as 4PAMS36-HH-MZO54 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217221814
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6H48M2A9 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 21541553382.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS48-HH-MZO5Also listed as 4PAMS48-HH-MZO64 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217221817
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons94.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H06S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAL0612F2A11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 21535924393.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHH06-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHH06-UVW8 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217221802
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H24S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAC24F2A3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21535926677.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHH24-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHH24-UVW2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217221806
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H36M2A4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21535922372.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS36-HH-MZO4Also listed as 4PAMS36-HH-MZO54 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217221815
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6H55M2A3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21541553769.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS55-HH-MZO5Also listed as 4PAMS55-HH-MZO64 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217221821
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No 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 modelPERFECTAIREAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H06S2Awith ducted air handler DRADL0612F2A14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535924477.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS18-HH-MZO2Also listed as 4PAMS18-HH-MZO32 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221808
Ducted, 2 tons78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U24S2Awith ducted air handler DRADH24F2A11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215359293No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H36M2A13 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535922283.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS36-HH-MZO4Also listed as 4PAMS36-HH-MZO54 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221814
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA6U48M2A15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21541553983.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS48-HH-MZO5Also listed as 4PAMS48-HH-MZO64 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221817
Ducted, 5 tons and up64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6U60M2A5 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215359213No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H06S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAW06F2A11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535924293.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHH06-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHH06-UVW12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221802
Non-ducted, 2 tons74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U24S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAW24F2A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535929072.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHH24-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHH24-UVW2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221806
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H36M2A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535922166.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS36-HH-MZO4Also listed as 4PAMS36-HH-MZO54 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221813
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6H55M2A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21541553562.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMS55-HH-MZO5Also listed as 4PAMS55-HH-MZO64 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221819
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6U60M2A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215359212No 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
RatingDurastarPERFECTAIRE
COP at 5°Fbeats 99% · 2.51DRA1U12S2ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 2.294PAMSHH06-SZONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 98% · 126%DRA1H09S2ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 104%4PAMS36-HH-MZO4Also listed as 4PAMS36-HH-MZO5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 11.0DRA6H48M2ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 11.04PAMS48-HH-MZO5Also listed as 4PAMS48-HH-MZO6Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 96% · 20.4DRA6H48M2ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20.44PAMS48-HH-MZO5Also listed as 4PAMS48-HH-MZO6Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 99% · 14.4DRA1H06S2ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 16.04PAMSHH06-SZONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 19,600 Btu/hDRA1H18S2ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 94% · 37,400 Btu/h4PAMS36-HH-MZO4Also listed as 4PAMS36-HH-MZO5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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