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.

ForestAir and Stelpro 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, Stelpro scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

ForestAir
Stelpro
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	ForestAir	Stelpro
Efficiency index	63%median —	67%median —
COP at 5°F	46%median 2.00	51%median 1.99
Capacity retention at 5°F	59%median 75%	77%median 94%
HSPF2	64%median 10.0	78%median 10.2
SEER2	80% (higher)median 23.0	67% (higher)median 20.8
EER2	61%median 12.5	62%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	56%median 18,900 Btu/h	76%median 25,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	33	32
AHRI certifications	56	91

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	ForestAir	Stelpro
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	97%32 models	87.5%28 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	97%32 models	87.5%28 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	3%1 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	97%32 models	93.8%30 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	3%1 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	42.4%14 models	78.1%25 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 · 8 groups where both have models

ForestAir
Stelpro
All models of the group

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	ForestAir	Stelpro
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	5 · index 61%	5 · index 79%
Ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 70%	3 · index 60%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 68%	8 · index 68%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	7 · index 62%	8 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	15 · index 63%	11 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 49%	3 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 69%	4 · index 76%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 59%	4 · index 67%

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 type	ForestAirCold-climate score, best model	StelproCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H09-D24TL-O-454with ducted air handler FA-D09-D24TL-I-4545 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217549977	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H18A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H18A-I5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216082337
Ducted, 2 tons	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H24-VKCE/OD-454with ducted air handler FA-H24-VKCE/AH-4543 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217903145	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216082339
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H36-VK/ODwith ducted air handler FA-H36-VK/AH6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217491807	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as SMZ4B1V-H36A-O8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216617677
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H48-VKCE/OD-454with ducted air handler FA-H48-VKCE/AH-4547 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217903147	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216617680
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY18-D2TL-O-45415 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 218696897	82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SELB-H09A-Owith ductless indoor unit SELB-H09A-I9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216445285
Non-ducted, 2 tons	58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H24-D24TL-O-454with ductless indoor unit FA-K24-D24TL-I-4543 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217549976	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit SICB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216082332
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY27-D3TL-O-4544 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218696898	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as SMZ4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216617678
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	42.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY48-D5TL-O-454Also listed as FA-MY55-D5TL-O-4543 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218696900	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216617681

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 type	ForestAirAll-around score, best model	StelproAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	72.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY18-D2TL-O-4545 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696902	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H09A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H09A-I5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216082334
Ducted, 2 tons	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-H24-VK/ODwith ducted air handler FA-H24-VK/AH3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217491806	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)SEPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216082339
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY27-D3TL-O-4546 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696903	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as SMZ4B1V-H36A-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216617677
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	68.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H48-VK/ODwith ducted air handler FA-H48-VK/AH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217491808	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216617680
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY18-D2TL-O-45415 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696897	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SELB-H09A-Owith ductless indoor unit SELB-H09A-I11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216445285
Non-ducted, 2 tons	56.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-H24-D24TL-O-454with ductless indoor unit FA-K24-D24TL-I-4543 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217549976	76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit SEPB-H24A-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216082326
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FA-MY27-D3TL-O-4544 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696898	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SMZ4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as SMZ4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216617676
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)FA-MY48-D5TL-O-454Also listed as FA-MY55-D5TL-O-4543 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696900	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216617679

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
Rating	ForestAir	Stelpro
COP at 5°F	beats 85% · 2.20FA-H36-VK/ODDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 94% · 2.34SEPB-H24A-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 95% · 105%FA-MY18-D2TL-O-454Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 120%SEPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 96% · 10.5FA-MY27-D3TL-O-454Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 11.0SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 26.5FA-MY27-D3TL-O-454Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 96% · 20.4SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 98% · 14.0FA-H24-VK/ODDucted, 2 tons	beats 95% · 14.0SEPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 19,800 Btu/hFA-MY18-D2TL-O-454Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 19,000 Btu/hSMZ2B1-H18A-OAlso listed as SMZ2B1V-H18A-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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ForestAir vs Stelpro heat pumps