What is the SEER2 rating of the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z?

The DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z is rated at up to 21.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 7 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-21.5.

Is the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.86, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $372-$1,004 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $460 in Phoenix and $840 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Which indoor units work with the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z?

ENERGY STAR lists 7 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use DIRM-18HP-WM, DIRM-18HP-CF, DIRM-18HP-CA.

What refrigerant does the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z use?

It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · DIRM series

DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z

Below average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #267 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $419 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 21.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 39%
HSPF2: 11.3 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 81%
EER2: 12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 44%
Heat at 5°F: 18,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 21%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 81% of mini-splits.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

Think twice if…

Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications18,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	DIRECT AIR
Outdoor unit model	DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z
Series	DIRM series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	18,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	January 1, 2022
Last certified	June 25, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	21.5 (range 18.0-21.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-12.5
Cooling capacity	16,000-18,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.5-11.3
Capacity at 47°F	17,000-19,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	12,000-15,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	16,000-18,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.75-1.86
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DIRM-18HP-WM at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups7 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
DIRM-18HP-WM · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	207743726
DIRM-18HP-CF · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	207743731
DIRM-18HP-CF · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	207743731
DIRM-18HP-CA · cold climate	20.0	12.5	9.5	16,000	207743742
DIRM-18HP-DUH · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	207743757
DIRM-18HP-DUH · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	207743757
DIRM-18HP-DUV · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	207743758

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$372-$1,004

Phoenix, AZ$460/yr
Miami, FL$372/yr
Houston, TX$412/yr
Atlanta, GA$419/yr
Los Angeles, CA$408/yr
New York, NY$1,004/yr
Chicago, IL$815/yr
Denver, CO$678/yr
Seattle, WA$417/yr
Minneapolis, MN$840/yr

At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z?: The DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z is rated at up to 21.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 7 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-21.5.
Is the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.86, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $372-$1,004 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $460 in Phoenix and $840 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Which indoor units work with the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z?: ENERGY STAR lists 7 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use DIRM-18HP-WM, DIRM-18HP-CF, DIRM-18HP-CA.
What refrigerant does the DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z use?: It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

Running cost and savings

Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.

Heat pump $457/yrYou save $436/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

Adjust heating and cooling hours

Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $457
Current system, per year: $893
You save per year: $436
Payback: 14.9 years
Net after 10 years: -$2,138

Cooling $278Heating $178Electricity used: 2,855 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $231

Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

Similar 18,000 BTU models

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Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-1 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Elios DEA18HOS28230E8 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Comfort-Aire A-KMH18SU-1 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
EMI MHSZ118DA · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Franklin MSH183E23MCAA · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2

See all 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 25, 2026. How we use the data.