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IAIR vs Wells: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical IAIR model beats 18% and a typical Wells model 57%. Wells rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

IAIR

18%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

35 models listed

Wells

57%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

35 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°FIAIR: Beats 2%Wells: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FIAIR: Beats 4%Wells: Beats 60%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2IAIR: Beats 19%Wells: Beats 70%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2IAIR: Beats 15%Wells: Beats 65%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2IAIR: Beats 60%Wells: Beats 50%

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

    IAIR
    0%
    Wells
    74%

  • Xcel CC

    IAIR
    0%
    Wells
    60%

  • CEE Advanced

    IAIR
    0%
    Wells
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    IAIR
    0%
    Wells
    60%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

IAIR

  1. 1APH3036E100AIAIRAlso listed as IPH3036E100A3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 33% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    34% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    6.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    13.4 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.2 (EER2)
    Good
    17.3score / 100Heating 4 · Cooling 31
  2. 2APH3030E100AIAIRAlso listed as IPH3030E100A2.5 tons · 28,200 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 35% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    35% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    6.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    13.4 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    15.2score / 100Heating 4 · Cooling 26

Wells

  1. 1WMCA-36HFMOWells3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.9Meets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 88
  2. 2WMCA-27HFMOWells2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.8 (EER2)
    Great
    81.9score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 83
  3. 3WMMA-27HFMOWells2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 57.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.83 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.5score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 86

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