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IWAE vs OUELLET: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical IWAE model beats 52% and a typical OUELLET model 64%. OUELLET rates higher overall.

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

IWAE

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

23 models listed

OUELLET

64%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

23 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°FIWAE: Beats 26%OUELLET: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FIWAE: Beats 61%OUELLET: Beats 71%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2IWAE: Beats 35%OUELLET: Beats 49%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2IWAE: Beats 40%OUELLET: Beats 72%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2IWAE: Beats 36%OUELLET: Beats 74%

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

    IWAE
    35%
    OUELLET
    96%

  • Xcel CC

    IWAE
    35%
    OUELLET
    100%

  • CEE Advanced

    IWAE
    0%
    OUELLET
    13%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    IWAE
    26%
    OUELLET
    100%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

IWAE

None of IWAE’s ducted, up to 1.5 tons models has all five ratings.

OUELLET

  1. 1OCVX-H09A-Owith ducted air handler OFCX1-H09A-IOUELLET1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.14 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.6score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 97
  2. 2OARX-H18A-Owith ducted air handler OFCX1-H18A-IOUELLET1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 59.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.4 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    78.6score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 98
  3. 3OARX-H09A-Owith ducted air handler OFCX1-H09A-IOUELLET1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.3 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.3 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    77.0score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 98

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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