3.5-ton central heat pump · DIR Series
DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48CS19-OU
Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #60 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,417 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 16.0 Cooling efficiency over a seasonBelow average · beats 26%
- HSPF2
- 9.0 Heating efficiency over a seasonAverage · beats 54%
- EER2
- 10.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayBelow average · beats 10%
- Heat at 5°F
- 41,000 BTU/h79% of its 47°F outputBelow average · beats 12%
A good fit if…
- Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 41,000 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.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | DIRECT AIR |
| Also sold as | ECO-AIR |
| Outdoor unit model | DIRM4-48CS19-OU |
| Series | DIR Series |
| Type | Central heat pump |
| Nominal size | 3.5 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 | May 1, 2026 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 16.0 (range 15.2-16.0) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 9.9-10.0 |
| Cooling capacity | 45,000-48,000 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 8.5-9.0 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 44,000-48,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 33,000-34,800 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 38,000-41,000 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 1.80-1.85 |
| ENERGY STAR cold climate | Yes |
Heating output as it gets colder
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 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRM4-48MAGICPRO20-AH · cold climate | - | 16.0 | 10.0 | 8.5 | 38,000 | 216571359 |
| DIRM4-6021MAGICP20-CCOIL · cold climate | DIRM-80GV96UC4-1 | 15.9 | 9.9 | 8.9 | 41,000 | 218160661 |
| DIRM4-6021MAGICP20-CCOIL · cold climate | DIRM-100GV96UC4-1 | 15.3 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 41,000 | 218160669 |
| DIRM4-6021MAGICP20-CCOIL · cold climate | - | 15.2 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 40,000 | 217284717 |
Same unit, other model numbers
These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48CS19-OU: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.
- ECO-AIR ECUO-48E
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$1,600/yr
- Miami, FL$1,319/yr
- Houston, TX$1,434/yr
- Atlanta, GA$1,417/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$1,371/yr
- New York, NY$3,344/yr
- Chicago, IL$2,707/yr
- Denver, CO$2,244/yr
- Seattle, WA$1,374/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$2,774/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 DIRM4-48CS19-OU?
- The DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48CS19-OU is rated at up to 16.0 SEER2 and 10.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 4 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.0.
- Is the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48CS19-OU good for cold climates?
- Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 41,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
- How much does the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48CS19-OU cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,319-$3,344 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,600 in Phoenix and $2,774 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
- Is the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48CS19-OU the same as the ECO-AIR ECUO-48E?
- Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
- Which indoor units work with the DIRECT AIR DIRM4-48CS19-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 DIRM4-48CS19-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 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 1, 2026. How we use the data.