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ECO AC vs IWAE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ECO AC model beats 59% and a typical IWAE model 52%. ECO AC rates higher overall.

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

ECO AC

59%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

22 models listed

IWAE

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

23 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°FECO AC: Beats 44%IWAE: Beats 26%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FECO AC: Beats 68%IWAE: Beats 61%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ECO AC: Beats 47%IWAE: Beats 35%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ECO AC: Beats 64%IWAE: Beats 40%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ECO AC: Beats 68%IWAE: Beats 36%

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

    ECO AC
    96%
    IWAE
    35%

  • Xcel CC

    ECO AC
    96%
    IWAE
    35%

  • CEE Advanced

    ECO AC
    14%
    IWAE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ECO AC
    100%
    IWAE
    26%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 2.5–3 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 Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

ECO AC

  1. 1EMH-4O36KBBECO AC3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    77.2score / 100
  2. 2EMH-4O30KBBECO AC2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.07 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    69.8score / 100
  3. 3EHS-O30KBBwith ductless indoor unit EHS-W30KBBECO AC2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    28.4score / 100

IWAE

None of IWAE’s ductless, 2.5–3 tons models qualifies.

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