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IWAE vs PERFECTAIRE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical IWAE model beats 52% and a typical PERFECTAIRE model 62%. PERFECTAIRE 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

PERFECTAIRE

62%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

22 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%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 55%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FIWAE: Beats 61%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 71%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2IWAE: Beats 35%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 71%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2IWAE: Beats 40%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 57%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2IWAE: Beats 36%PERFECTAIRE: Beats 61%

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%
    PERFECTAIRE
    82%

  • Xcel CC

    IWAE
    35%
    PERFECTAIRE
    82%

  • CEE Advanced

    IWAE
    0%
    PERFECTAIRE
    5%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    IWAE
    26%
    PERFECTAIRE
    82%

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?

IWAE

None of IWAE’s ductless, 2.5–3 tons models has all five ratings.

PERFECTAIRE

  1. 14PAMS36-HH-MZO4PERFECTAIREAlso listed as 4PAMS36-HH-MZO53 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 72.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.2 (EER2)
    Good
    66.3score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 62
  2. 24PAMS27-HH-MZO3PERFECTAIREAlso listed as 4PAMS27-HH-MZO42.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 53.7Meets 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
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    52.7score / 100Heating 54 · Cooling 52

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