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      3.5-ton central heat pump · DIR Series

      DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU

      Average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #52 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,372 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      16.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 40%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 70%
      EER2
      10.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 17%
      Heat at 5°F
      46,000 BTU/h92% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 20%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 46,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 70% of central heat pumps.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications3.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandDIRECT AIR
      Outdoor unit modelDIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU
      SeriesDIR Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceDecember 1, 2024
      Last certifiedSeptember 30, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.5 (range 15.2-16.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0-10.5
      Cooling capacity45,000-48,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.3-9.5
      Capacity at 47°F47,000-50,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F30,000-39,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F41,000-46,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.75-1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder92% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-AH at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups4 indoor units

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

      Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-AH · cold climate-16.510.59.546,000216571365
      DIRM4-6021MAGICP20-CCOIL · cold climateDIRM-100GV96UC4-115.510.48.341,000218160668
      DIRM4-6021MAGICP20-CCOIL · cold climate-15.210.08.842,000216684040
      DIRM4-6021MAGICP20-CCOIL · cold climateDIRM-80GV96UC4-115.210.58.542,000218160660
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,279-$3,237

      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 DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU?
      The DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU is rated at up to 16.5 SEER2 and 10.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 4 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.5.
      Is the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 46,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,279-$3,237 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,551 in Phoenix and $2,685 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 DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU?
      ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-AH, DIRM4-6021MAGICP20-CCOIL.
      What refrigerant does the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU use?
      It uses R-454B.

      Running cost and savings

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

      Heat pump $1,526/yrYou save $844/yrSee details ↓
      1. Where you live
      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.

      2. The heat pump DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-OU
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,526
      Current system, per year
      $2,369
      You save per year
      $844
      Payback
      20.2 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$8,565

      Cooling $960Heating $566Electricity used: 9,537 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $299

      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 3.5 ton models

      See all 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of September 30, 2026. How we use the data.