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AireForce vs Kaden: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AireForce model beats 41% and a typical Kaden model 61%. Kaden rates higher overall.

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

AireForce

41%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

54 models listed

Kaden

61%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

66 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°FAireForce: Beats 33%Kaden: Beats 58%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAireForce: Beats 43%Kaden: Beats 53%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AireForce: Beats 37%Kaden: Beats 64%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AireForce: Beats 43%Kaden: Beats 63%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AireForce: Beats 47%Kaden: Beats 65%

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

    AireForce
    52%
    Kaden
    68%

  • Xcel CC

    AireForce
    48%
    Kaden
    59%

  • CEE Advanced

    AireForce
    4%
    Kaden
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AireForce
    22%
    Kaden
    58%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AireForce

  1. 1DXH30FMK3IHAireForce2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    61.6score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 75
  2. 2DXH36FMK3IHAireForce3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 52.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (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)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    59.0score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 66
  3. 3AC-36-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-36-AH-E-32AireForce3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 65% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    66% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    42.6score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 32

Kaden

  1. 1KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAKadenAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2KOB-HH-PS327HP-2AAMAKadenAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS427HP-2AAMA2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 82
  3. 3KOB-HH-UUX36HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-HH-UUX36AH3-2AAMAKaden3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    91% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.06 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    17.7 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    74.9score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 72

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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