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Armbridge vs IWAE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Armbridge model beats 55% and a typical IWAE model 52%. Armbridge rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Armbridge

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

23 models listed

IWAE

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

23 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FArmbridge: Beats 46%IWAE: Beats 26%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FArmbridge: Beats 50%IWAE: Beats 61%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Armbridge: Beats 62%IWAE: Beats 35%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Armbridge: Beats 64%IWAE: Beats 40%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Armbridge: Beats 49%IWAE: Beats 36%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    Armbridge
    57%
    IWAE
    35%

  • Xcel CC

    Armbridge
    61%
    IWAE
    35%

  • CEE Advanced

    Armbridge
    4%
    IWAE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Armbridge
    39%
    IWAE
    26%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Armbridge

  1. 1AB-GTMR42-230VOArmbridgeAlso listed as AB-GTMH42-230VO3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 76.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    87.0score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 97
  2. 2AB-BSD48HI-230VOwith ducted air handler AB-BMP48AHU-230VIArmbridge4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 56% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    56% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.75 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    9.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    35.3score / 100Heating 36 · Cooling 35
  3. 3AB-BSD60HI-230VOwith ducted air handler AB-BMP60AHU-230VIArmbridge4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 54% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    55% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.72 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    15.8 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    8.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    29.8score / 100Heating 34 · Cooling 25

IWAE

  1. 1**AESHV8T4821BAwith ducted air handler **AEAMPVT48F21BAIWAE4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 43.2Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    9.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    43.2score / 100Heating 43 · Cooling 43
  2. 2**AESHV7T6021BAwith ducted air handler **AEAMPVT60F21BAIWAE4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 42.8Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    8.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    38.0score / 100Heating 43 · Cooling 33

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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