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Durastar vs Wells heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Wells scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Durastar has 35 outdoor models, Wells has 35 outdoor models. Wells has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · 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.
Durastar and Wells 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, Wells scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • Durastar
  • Wells
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DurastarWells

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingDurastarWells
Efficiency index59% (higher)median — · 8th ranked57% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F54% (higher)median 2.00 · 14th ranked40% (higher)median 1.85
Capacity retention at 5°F55%median 65% · 14th ranked60%median 79%
HSPF266%median 9.4 · 7th ranked70%median 9.5
SEER262%median 19.0 · 7th ranked65%median 20.2
EER257% (higher)median 11.7 · 10th ranked50% (higher)median 11.0
Heating capacity at 5°F53%median 20,400 Btu/h · 14th ranked59%median 23,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models3535
AHRI certifications29370

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDurastarWells
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%20 models74.3%26 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)51.4%18 models68.6%24 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)2.9%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)45.7%16 models60%21 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge2.9%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate60%21 models60%21 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 · 9 groups where both have models
  • Durastar
  • Wells
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeDurastarWells
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons10 · index 59%2 · index 59%
Ducted, 2 tons3 · index 71%1 · index 53%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons9 · index 53%9 · index 62%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons10 · index 53%8 · index 58%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index 55%1 · index 57%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons8 · index 70%11 · index 56%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 67%2 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons5 · index 63%7 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · index 51%4 · 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 typeDurastarCold-climate score, best modelWellsCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H09S1Awith ducted air handler DRAD09F1A7 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21056811552.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)WMMA-18HFMO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213286761
Ducted, 2 tons80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U24S1Bwith ducted air handler DRAD24F1A2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 20778714566.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)WUCA-24HFMOwith ducted air handler WUA-24HFMAH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213307899
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA3H28M1A3 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 21056821580.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WMCA-27HFMO7 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 213286779
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A2 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21056822174.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)WMCA-48HFMO5 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 213286782
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U09S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAW09F1B7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 20778713074.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSA-09HFMOwith ductless indoor unit WSA-09HFMI7 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 214421469
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H24S1Awith ductless indoor unit DRAC24F1B2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21056811461.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSA-24HFMOwith ductless indoor unit WSA-24HFMI1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 214421472
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA4H36M1A4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21056821787.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WMCA-36HFMO4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213307896
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21056822080.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)WMCA-48HFMO2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213286781

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 typeDurastarAll-around score, best modelWellsAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H09S1Awith ducted air handler DRAD09F1A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056811559.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)WMMA-18HFMO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286761
Ducted, 2 tons83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U24S1Bwith ducted air handler DRAD24F1A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20778714565.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)WUCA-24HFMOwith ducted air handler WUA-24HFMAH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213307899
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA3H28M1A9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056821583.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WMCA-36HFMO9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213307897
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056822182.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)WMCA-48HFMO8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286782
Ducted, 5 tons and up68.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRHP15A60AJ2ANwith ducted air handler F,PE*DD19602 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21407729757.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSMA-60HFMOwith ducted air handler WSMA-60HFMD1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214797744
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U09S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAW09F1B8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20778713084.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSA-09HFMOwith ductless indoor unit WSA-09HFMI11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214421469
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1U24S1Bwith ductless indoor unit DRAF24F1A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20778714670.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSA-24HFMOwith ductless indoor unit WSA-24HFMI2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214421472
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA4H36M1A5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056821776.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WMCA-36HFMO7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213307896
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H48M1A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21056822073.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)WMCA-48HFMO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286781

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
RatingDurastarWells
COP at 5°Fbeats 98% · 2.45DRA1U12S1BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 83% · 2.16WSB-09HFBONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 95% · 113%DRA1U09S1BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 101%WMCA-27HFMODucted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 98% · 12.0DRA1H09S1ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 10.9WMCA-36HFMONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 20.9DRA5H48M1ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 20.9WMCA-48HFMODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 95% · 15.8DRA1H09S1ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 15.8WSA-09HFMONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hDRA2H18M1ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hWMCA-18HFMONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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