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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 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 Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

IWAE

  1. 1AEPL**MHV23S0932B1Awith ductless indoor unit AEPL**AWM23E0932B1AIWAE1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 89% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    51.8score / 100
  2. 2AEPL**MHV22S1831B1Awith ductless indoor unit AEPL**AWM22E1831B1AIWAE1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 83% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    51.0score / 100
  3. 3AEPL**MHV23S1232B1Awith ductless indoor unit AEPL**AWM23E1232B1AIWAEAlso listed as AEPL**MHV23S1231B1A1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 83% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    51.0score / 100

PERFECTAIRE

  1. 14PAMSHH06-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHH06-UVWPERFECTAIRE0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 107% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    107% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.29 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    14.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    93.8score / 100
  2. 24PAMSHH18-SZOwith ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHH18-UVWPERFECTAIRE1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.3score / 100
  3. 34PAMS18-HH-MZO2PERFECTAIREAlso listed as 4PAMS18-HH-MZO31.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    67.2score / 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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