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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, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

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

AireForce

  1. 1DXH42FMK3IHAireForce3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 66.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    67.7score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 69

Kaden

  1. 1KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAKadenAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.4Meets 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)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    75.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 79
  2. 2KOB-PS548HP-2AAMAKadenAlso listed as KOB-PS648HP-2AAMA4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 56.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.2 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    68.6score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 81
  3. 3KOB-HH-PS555HP-2AAMAKadenAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS655HP-2AAMA4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 66.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.2 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    63.6score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 74

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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