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 average15 models listed
ForestAir
63%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
Well above average33 models listed
- 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
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Rebate standards
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, ductless 2.5–3 tons
Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.
Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?
EMI
- 1EMXMZ436DAEMI3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.7 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 23.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 13.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 2EMXMZ327DAEMI2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 72.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.5 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 23.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.5 (EER2)
- Great
- 3ECOSZ130DAwith ductless indoor unit ECOWAL30DAEMI2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 65% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 66% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Below the middle
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.88 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 9.2 (HSPF2)
- Below the middle
- Cooling efficiency
- 20.0 (SEER2)
- Below the middle
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.0 (EER2)
- Below the middle
ForestAir
- 1FA-MY27-D3TL-O-454ForestAir2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.5 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 26.5 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 14.0 (EER2)
- Top 10%
- 2FA-MY36-D4TL-O-454ForestAir3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.0 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 25.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 13.6 (EER2)
- Top 10%
- 3FA-M27-D3TL-O-454ForestAir2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Below the middle
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.5 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 24.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Good
These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.
Next steps
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