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EMI vs ForestAir: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical EMI model beats 62% and a typical ForestAir model 63%. ForestAir rates slightly higher overall.

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

EMI

62%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

15 models listed

ForestAir

63%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

33 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°FEMI: Beats 56%ForestAir: Beats 46%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FEMI: Beats 63%ForestAir: Beats 59%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2EMI: Beats 69%ForestAir: Beats 64%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2EMI: Beats 61%ForestAir: Beats 80%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2EMI: Beats 60%ForestAir: Beats 61%

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

    EMI
    87%
    ForestAir
    97%

  • Xcel CC

    EMI
    73%
    ForestAir
    97%

  • CEE Advanced

    EMI
    7%
    ForestAir
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    EMI
    73%
    ForestAir
    42%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

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

EMI

  1. 1EMXMZ548DAEMI4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    83.9score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85

ForestAir

  1. 1FA-H48-VK/ODwith ducted air handler FA-H48-VK/AHForestAir4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    68.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 63
  2. 2FA-M42-D5TL-O-454ForestAir3.5 tons · 41,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 52.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.5score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 83
  3. 3FA-H48-VKCE/OD-454with ducted air handler FA-H48-VKCE/AH-454ForestAir4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 76.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    67.4score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 58

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