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AIR MAX vs K&A: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR MAX model beats 54% and a typical K&A model 30%. AIR MAX rates higher overall.

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

AIR MAX

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

13 models listed

K&A

30%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below 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°FAIR MAX: Beats 53%K&A: Beats 31%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR MAX: Beats 55%K&A: Beats 39%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR MAX: Beats 38%K&A: Beats 33%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR MAX: Beats 56%K&A: Beats 27%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR MAX: Beats 63%K&A: Beats 28%

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

    AIR MAX
    100%
    K&A
    17%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR MAX
    85%
    K&A
    17%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR MAX
    8%
    K&A
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR MAX
    46%
    K&A
    0%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR MAX

  1. 1AFMKH42-H2AIR MAX3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.1score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 83
  2. 2AFMKH60-H2AIR MAX4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 56% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    56% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.6score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 80
  3. 3AFMKH48-H2AIR MAX4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 50.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    62.9score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 75

K&A

  1. 1DIVINE-48K220V-7-Owith ducted air handler DIVINE-48K220V-7-IK&A4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    72.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 73
  2. 2DIVINE-60K220V-7-Owith ducted air handler DIVINE-60K220V-7-IK&A4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    56.6score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 44
  3. 3CELESTIAL-48K220V-7K&AAlso listed as CELESTIAL-48K220V-74 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 41.0Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.82 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.6 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.3 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    31.9score / 100Heating 41 · Cooling 23

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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