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Durastar vs Wells: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Durastar model beats 59% and a typical Wells model 57%. Durastar rates slightly higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

Durastar

59%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

35 models listed

Wells

57%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

35 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°FDurastar: Beats 54%Wells: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDurastar: Beats 55%Wells: Beats 60%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Durastar: Beats 66%Wells: Beats 70%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Durastar: Beats 62%Wells: Beats 65%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Durastar: Beats 57%Wells: Beats 50%

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

    Durastar
    57%
    Wells
    74%

  • Xcel CC

    Durastar
    46%
    Wells
    60%

  • CEE Advanced

    Durastar
    3%
    Wells
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Durastar
    60%
    Wells
    60%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

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

Durastar

  1. 1DRA5H48M1ADurastar4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 87% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    74.9score / 100
  2. 2DRA5H55M1ADurastar4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 85% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.77 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.3 (HSPF2)
    Great
    60.7score / 100

Wells

  1. 1WMCA-48HFMOWells4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 87% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    74.9score / 100
  2. 2WUCA-48HFMOwith ducted air handler WUA-48HFMAHWells4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    73.8score / 100
  3. 3WUCA-60HFMOwith ducted air handler WUA-60HFMAHWells4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 82% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    71.3score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view