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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AireForce

  1. 1DXH18FMK3IHAireForce1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 39.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (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
    48.6score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 58
  2. 2AC-18-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-18-AH-E-32AireForce1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.3 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    47.1score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 45
  3. 3FSH4BE5M1SP18Kwith indoor coil C75B(A,H)MX24C*A and furnace FG7S(*)-(*)A(*)AireForceAlso listed as WSH4BE5M1SP18K1.5 tons · 17,800 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 44% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    47% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.75 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.3 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    20.3score / 100Heating 15 · Cooling 26

Kaden

  1. 1KOB-HH-PSX09HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX09LS-2AAMAKaden1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    112% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 94
  2. 2KOB-PSX09HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX09HS-2AAMAKaden1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.3Meets 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
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.8score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 80
  3. 3KOB-HH-UUX18HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-HH-UUX18AH3-2AAMAKaden1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 85.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.12 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    79.3score / 100Heating 86 · Cooling 73

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