1.5-ton central heat pump · DIR Series
DIRECT AIR DIRM4-18CS19-OU
Very good cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 1.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.
Ranks #50 of 170 1.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $515 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 18.8 Cooling efficiency over a seasonVery good · beats 81%
- HSPF2
- 9.1 Heating efficiency over a seasonAverage · beats 60%
- EER2
- 11.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayBelow average · beats 23%
- Heat at 5°F
- 11,200 BTU/h62% of its 47°F outputBelow average · beats 39%
A good fit if…
- You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 81% of central heat pumps.
- You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
Think twice if…
- You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | DIRECT AIR |
| Outdoor unit model | DIRM4-18CS19-OU |
| Series | DIR Series |
| Type | Central heat pump |
| Nominal size | 1.5 ton |
| CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power | Continuously variable |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Connected (smart) capable | No |
| On the market since | December 1, 2024 |
| Last certified | April 22, 2026 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 18.8 (range 16.1-18.8) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 11.0 |
| Cooling capacity | 18,000 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 8.4-9.1 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 18,000-19,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 12,000-12,600 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 10,000-11,200 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 1.90-2.00 |
| ENERGY STAR cold climate | No |
Heating output as it gets colder
Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DIRM4-18MAGICPRO20-AH at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:
Certified matchups
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 unit | Furnace | SEER2 | EER2 | HSPF2 | Heat @5°F | AHRI ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRM4-18MAGICPRO20-AH | - | 18.8 | 11.0 | 9.1 | 11,200 | 216571355 |
| DIRM4-2417MAGICP20-CCOIL | DIRM-60GV96UB3-1 | 16.4 | 11.0 | 8.4 | 10,000 | 218160641 |
| DIRM4-2417MAGICP20-CCOIL | DIRM-80GV96UB3-1 | 16.1 | 11.0 | 8.4 | 10,000 | 218160649 |
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$560/yr
- Miami, FL$450/yr
- Houston, TX$502/yr
- Atlanta, GA$515/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$503/yr
- New York, NY$1,241/yr
- Chicago, IL$1,009/yr
- Denver, CO$840/yr
- Seattle, WA$517/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$1,040/yr
At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.
Questions
- What is the SEER2 rating of the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-18CS19-OU?
- The DIRECT AIR DIRM4-18CS19-OU is rated at up to 18.8 SEER2 and 11.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.1 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.1-18.8.
- Is the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-18CS19-OU good for cold climates?
- It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 1.5-ton model.
- How much does the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-18CS19-OU cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $450-$1,241 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $560 in Phoenix and $1,040 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 DIRM4-18CS19-OU?
- ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use DIRM4-18MAGICPRO20-AH, DIRM4-2417MAGICP20-CCOIL.
- What refrigerant does the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-18CS19-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.
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See all 170 1.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 22, 2026. How we use the data.