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CAAIR vs DWVO: heat pump ratings compared

One of these brands has too few models with every rating for an overall score; see each rating below.

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

CAAIR

—

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Not enough rated models

3 models listed

DWVO

22%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

3 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°FCAAIR: Beats 66%DWVO: Beats 14%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCAAIR: Not ratedDWVO: Beats 31%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CAAIR: Beats 17%DWVO: Beats 10%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CAAIR: Beats 20%DWVO: Beats 25%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CAAIR: Beats 18%DWVO: Beats 25%

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

    CAAIR
    0%
    DWVO
    33%

  • Xcel CC

    CAAIR
    0%
    DWVO
    67%

  • CEE Advanced

    CAAIR
    0%
    DWVO
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CAAIR
    0%
    DWVO
    0%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CAAIR

None of CAAIR’s ductless, up to 1.5 tons models has all five ratings.

DWVO

  1. 1IMHCAC-0039with ductless indoor unit IMHCAC-0038DWVO1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 29.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    40.3score / 100Heating 30 · Cooling 51
  2. 2IMHCAC-0043with ductless indoor unit IMHCAC-0042DWVO1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 20.8Meets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.75 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.2 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    16.9score / 100Heating 21 · Cooling 13
  3. 3IMHCAC-0041with ductless indoor unit IMHCAC-0040DWVO1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 61% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    62% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.8 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    7.4score / 100Heating 4 · Cooling 11

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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