HVAC Rated

3-ton central heat pump · DIR Series

DIRECT AIR DIRM4-36CS19-OU

Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #215 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,124 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
16.1 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 34%
HSPF2
8.7 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 47%
EER2
10.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 10%
Heat at 5°F
27,000 BTU/h75% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 39%

A good fit if…

  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 27,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • 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 central heat pumps.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-454B
General
BrandDIRECT AIR
Outdoor unit modelDIRM4-36CS19-OU
SeriesDIR Series
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceDecember 1, 2024
Last certifiedMay 1, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.1 (range 15.4-16.1)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors9.5-10.0
Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.2-8.7
Capacity at 47°F36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F23,000-27,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F26,000-27,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder75% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DIRM4-36MAGICPRO20-AH at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups2 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.
DIRM4-36MAGICPRO20-AH · cold climate-16.110.08.727,000216571358
DIRM4-3617MAGICP20-CCOIL · cold climateDIRM-60GV96UB3-115.49.58.226,000218160647
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,048-$2,651

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 DIRM4-36CS19-OU?
The DIRECT AIR DIRM4-36CS19-OU is rated at up to 16.1 SEER2 and 10.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 2 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.4-16.1.
Is the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-36CS19-OU good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 27,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-36CS19-OU cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,048-$2,651 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,271 in Phoenix and $2,199 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 DIRM4-36CS19-OU?
ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use DIRM4-36MAGICPRO20-AH, DIRM4-3617MAGICP20-CCOIL.
What refrigerant does the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-36CS19-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 $1,251/yrYou save $606/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 DIRM4-36CS19-OU
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,251
Current system, per year
$1,856
You save per year
$606
Payback
22.3 years
Net after 10 years
-$7,443

Cooling $787Heating $463Electricity used: 7,816 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $173

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.

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Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 1, 2026. How we use the data.