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ForestAir vs Stelpro: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ForestAir model beats 63% and a typical Stelpro model 67%. Stelpro rates slightly higher overall.

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

ForestAir

63%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

33 models listed

Stelpro

67%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

32 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°FForestAir: Beats 46%Stelpro: Beats 51%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FForestAir: Beats 59%Stelpro: Beats 77%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ForestAir: Beats 64%Stelpro: Beats 78%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ForestAir: Beats 80%Stelpro: Beats 67%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ForestAir: Beats 61%Stelpro: Beats 62%

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

    ForestAir
    97%
    Stelpro
    88%

  • Xcel CC

    ForestAir
    97%
    Stelpro
    94%

  • CEE Advanced

    ForestAir
    3%
    Stelpro
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ForestAir
    42%
    Stelpro
    78%

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?

ForestAir

  1. 1FA-H48-VKCE/OD-454with ducted air handler FA-H48-VKCE/AH-454ForestAir4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 75% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    76.6score / 100
  2. 2FA-H48-VK/ODwith ducted air handler FA-H48-VK/AHForestAir4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 73% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    73.3score / 100
  3. 3FA-H60-VKCE/OD-454with ducted air handler FA-H60-VKCE/AH-454ForestAir4.5 tons · 54,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 74% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    69.8score / 100

Stelpro

  1. 1SMZ5B1-H48A-OStelproAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.7score / 100
  2. 2SMZ5B1-H55A-OStelproAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H55A-O4.5 tons · 53,000 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.2score / 100
  3. 3SDB1-H48A-Owith ducted air handler SAHB1-H48A-IStelpro4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    68.8score / 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.

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