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.

1HVAC and Kaden 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, 1HVAC scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

1HVAC
Kaden
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	1HVAC	Kaden
Efficiency index	61%median —	61%median —
COP at 5°F	57%median 2.00	58%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	59% (higher)median 78%	53% (higher)median 72%
HSPF2	71% (higher)median 10.0	64% (higher)median 9.5
SEER2	64% (higher)median 19.8	63% (higher)median 19.3
EER2	55%median 12.0	65%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	62% (higher)median 21,000 Btu/h	55% (higher)median 19,800 Btu/h
Outdoor models	70	66
AHRI certifications	166	399

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	1HVAC	Kaden
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	87.1%61 models	68.2%45 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	85.7%60 models	66.7%44 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	4.3%3 models	3%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	74.3%52 models	59.1%39 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	4.3%3 models	3%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	77.1%54 models	57.6%38 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 · 10 groups where both have models

1HVAC
Kaden
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	1HVAC	Kaden
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	8 · index 75%	13 · index 72%
Ducted, 2 tons	8 · index 65%	9 · index 52%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	12 · index 65%	16 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	17 · index 65%	19 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 63%	2 · index 63%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	22 · index 59%	13 · index 73%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	6 · index 53%	2 · index 82%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	9 · index 48%	12 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 53%	6 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 59%	2 · index 59%

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	1HVACCold-climate score, best model	KadenCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPDwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WMB7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216980821	85.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-UUX18HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-HH-UUX18AH3-2AAMA11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 217970408
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MC8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216032281	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX24HS-2AAMA6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 215866654
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MC11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 216032282	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA9 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 215866690
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-60-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-60-AH3217 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 215387237	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA10 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 215866693
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD14 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 216032267	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX06WM-2AAMA12 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 215866628
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24CC-HH-MC4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216032275	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX24CT-2AAMA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215866644
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-36FM-HH-MD6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 216032289	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215866691
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216032306	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215866694
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)

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	1HVACAll-around score, best model	KadenAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MC8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032278	86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PSX09HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX09LS-2AAMA13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866649
Ducted, 2 tons	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MC8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032281	78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX24HS-2AAMA9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866660
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032302	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866690
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-48Z-M6C17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032320	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS648HP-2AAMA19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866678
Ducted, 5 tons and up	62.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-55Z-M6C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032323	62.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-PS555HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS655HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866681
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032267	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX06WM-2AAMA13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866628
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MD6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032271	86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX24WM-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866638
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032301	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866689
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032304	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866692
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-55Z-M6C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032322	58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-PS555HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS655HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866680

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	1HVAC	Kaden
COP at 5°F	beats 98% · 2.44EZ-18ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 2.54KOB-PSX24HP-2AAMANon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 126%ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 120%KOB-HH-PSX09HP-2AAMADucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 14.8ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 14.8KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 97% · 25.0ES-27Z-M4CNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 97% · 25.0KOB-PS327HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS427HP-2AAMANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 18.0ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 18.0KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 19,600 Btu/hACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hKOB-HH-UUX60HP-2AAMADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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1HVAC vs Kaden heat pumps