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	48%median — · 24th ranked	63%median —
COP at 5°F	43%median 1.93 · 26th ranked	46%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	44%median 73% · 21st ranked	59%median 75%
HSPF2	50%median 9.5 · 16th ranked	64%median 10.0
SEER2	55%median 21.0 · 14th ranked	80%median 23.0
EER2	41%median 11.2 · 23rd ranked	61%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	46%median 12,250 Btu/h · 21st ranked	56%median 18,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models	94	33
AHRI certifications	133	56

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)	68.1%64 models	97%32 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	68.1%64 models	97%32 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	3%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	66%62 models	97%32 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	3%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	43.6%41 models	42.4%14 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 · 8 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, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 67%	5 · index 61%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 46%	3 · index 70%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 65%	6 · index 68%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 54%	7 · index 62%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	60 · index 46%	15 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	13 · index 45%	3 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	12 · index 42%	4 · index 69%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	5 · index 44%	3 · index 59%

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, up to 1.5 tons	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TLP-MODU-1D23 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217568631	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-H09-D24TL-O-454with ducted air handler FA-D09-D24TL-I-4545 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217549977
Ducted, 2 tons	56.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TCQ-MODU-1D32 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218718736	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-H24-VKCE/OD-454with ducted air handler FA-H24-VKCE/AH-4543 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217903145
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	63.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TPH-MODU-1D46 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218718740	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-H36-VK/ODwith ducted air handler FA-H36-VK/AH6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217491807
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	63.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TCQ-MODU-1D56 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218718738	76.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-H48-VKCE/OD-454with ducted air handler FA-H48-VKCE/AH-4547 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217903147
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TPH-MODU-1D342 of 60 models qualify · AHRI 218471007	70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY18-D2TL-O-45415 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 218696897
Non-ducted, 2 tons	77.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)048-MS-24K2VR-22S-MX-OUTwith ductless indoor unit 048-MS-24K2VR-22S-MX-IN6 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 218043770	58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H24-D24TL-O-454with ductless indoor unit FA-K24-D24TL-I-4543 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217549976
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TPH-MODU-1D48 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218471008	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY27-D3TL-O-4544 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218696898
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	48.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)048-TPH-MODU-1D64 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218471010	42.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY48-D5TL-O-454Also listed as FA-MY55-D5TL-O-4543 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218696900

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, up to 1.5 tons	72.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TPH-MODU-1D33 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218718739	72.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY18-D2TL-O-4545 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696902
Ducted, 2 tons	54.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TCQ-MODU-1D32 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218718736	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-H24-VK/ODwith ducted air handler FA-H24-VK/AH3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217491806
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TPH-MODU-1D46 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218718740	80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-MY27-D3TL-O-4546 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696903
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TLP-MODU-1D56 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217568634	68.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-H48-VK/ODwith ducted air handler FA-H48-VK/AH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217491808
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TPH-MODU-1D355 of 60 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471007	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY18-D2TL-O-45415 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696897
Non-ducted, 2 tons	68.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)048-MS-24K2VR-22S-MX-OUTwith ductless indoor unit 048-MS-24K2VR-22S-MX-IN12 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218043770	56.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H24-D24TL-O-454with ductless indoor unit FA-K24-D24TL-I-4543 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217549976
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)048-TPH-MODU-1D412 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471008	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY27-D3TL-O-4544 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696898
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)048-TPH-MODU-1D65 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471010	67.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY48-D5TL-O-454Also listed as FA-MY55-D5TL-O-4543 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696900

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% · 2.27048-MS-24K2VR-21S-OUTNon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 85% · 2.20FA-H36-VK/ODDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 95% · 105%048-TPH-MODU-1D3Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 105%FA-MY18-D2TL-O-454Ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 96% · 10.5048-TPH-MODU-1D4Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 96% · 10.5FA-MY27-D3TL-O-454Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 26.5048-TPH-MODU-1D4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 26.5FA-MY27-D3TL-O-454Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 97% · 14.0048-TPH-MODU-1D4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 14.0FA-H24-VK/ODDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 19,800 Btu/h048-TPH-MODU-1D3Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 19,800 Btu/hFA-MY18-D2TL-O-454Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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Della vs ForestAir heat pumps