Della vs ForestAir heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ForestAir scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. Della has 22 outdoor models, ForestAir has 22 outdoor models. ForestAir has no QMID on file and is not ranked. They share hardware: 6 equipment families appear under both names.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.

Della and ForestAir on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, ForestAir scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

Della
ForestAir
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Della	ForestAir
Efficiency index	39%median — · 27th ranked	57%median —
COP at 5°F	42%median 1.80 · 25th ranked	43%median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F	37%median 70% · 26th ranked	54%median 77%
HSPF2	23%median 8.5 · 27th ranked	34%median 9.0
SEER2	35%median 19.0 · 27th ranked	58%median 21.8
EER2	28%median 10.0 · 27th ranked	46%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	37%median 11,600 Btu/h · 26th ranked	54%median 13,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	22	22
AHRI certifications	22	24

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Della	ForestAir
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	54.5%12 models	68.2%15 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	45.5%10 models	68.2%15 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	36.4%8 models	54.5%12 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	18.2%4 models	13.6%3 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 3 groups where both have models

Della
ForestAir
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Della	ForestAir
Ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 61%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · index 63%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	16 · index 43%	14 · index 56%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 39%	4 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	3 · index 27%	2 · index 51%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	DellaCold-climate score, best model	ForestAirCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	55.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FAD36W/A-D(U)with ducted air handler FAD36AH2/A-D(U)1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208939392
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	58.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FAD60W/A-D(U)with ducted air handler FAD48AH2/A-D(U)1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208939393
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	68.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TP-12K2V-23S-OUTwith ductless indoor unit 048-TP-12K2V-23S-IN8 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 213927343	68.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H12-D23TL/O-ESwith ductless indoor unit FA-H12-D23TL/I-ES9 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 207797362
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)	49.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)FGH-24ES/E25-Owith ductless indoor unit FGH-24ES/E25-I1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 211624984
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	DellaAll-around score, best model	ForestAirAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)FAD36W/A-D(U)with ducted air handler FAD24AH2/A-D(U)1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208939391
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FAD60W/A-D(U)with ducted air handler FAD48AH2/A-D(U)1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208939393
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TP-12K2V-23S-OUTwith ductless indoor unit 048-TP-12K2V-23S-IN10 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927343	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H12-D23TL/O-ESwith ductless indoor unit FA-H12-D23TL/I-ES10 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207797362
Non-ducted, 2 tons	53.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TP-24K2V-20S-OUTwith ductless indoor unit 048-TP-24K2V-20S-IN2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927345	71.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FGH-24ES/E25-Owith ductless indoor unit FGH-24ES/E25-I3 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211624984
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	29.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TL-36K-MODU3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211042067	51.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-H36-D21TL/O4-ES1 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207804203

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	Della	ForestAir
COP at 5°F	beats 89% · 2.21048-TP-18K2V-22S-OUTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 89% · 2.21FA-H18-D23TL/O-ESNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 64% · 77%048-TP-9K2V-23S-OUTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 73% · 81%FAD60W/A-D(U)Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 57% · 9.5048-TP-12K2V-23S-OUTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 73% · 9.0FAD60W/A-D(U)Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 79% · 23.5048-TP-9K2V-23S-OUTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 24.0FGH-24ES/E25-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 68% · 13.0048-TP-9K2V-23S-OUTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 90% · 14.7FGH-09ES/E25-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 78% · 13,000 Btu/h048-TL-18K-MODUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 86% · 14,500 Btu/hFGH-18ES/E25-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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