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AireForce vs Kaden heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Kaden scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. AireForce has 54 outdoor models, Kaden has 66 outdoor models. AireForce and Kaden have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

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.
AireForce 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, Kaden scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • AireForce
  • Kaden
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AireForceKaden

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAireForceKaden
Efficiency index41%median —61%median —
COP at 5°F33%median 1.8158%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F43%median 70%53%median 72%
HSPF237%median 8.564%median 9.5
SEER243%median 17.063%median 19.3
EER247%median 11.065%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F43%median 18,800 Btu/h55%median 19,800 Btu/h
Outdoor models5466
AHRI certifications187399

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAireForceKaden
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)51.9%28 models68.2%45 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)50%27 models66.7%44 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)3.7%2 models3%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)48.1%26 models59.1%39 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge3.7%2 models3%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate22.2%12 models57.6%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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • AireForce
  • Kaden
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeAireForceKaden
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 34%13 · index 72%
Ducted, 2 tons7 · index 34%9 · index 52%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons11 · index 33%16 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons15 · index 36%19 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone2 · index 63%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons10 · index 46%13 · index 73%
Non-ducted, 2 tons4 · index 59%2 · index 82%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons7 · index 56%12 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 68%6 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone2 · 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 typeAireForceCold-climate score, best modelKadenCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-18-AH-E-322 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21872945085.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-UUX18HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-HH-UUX18AH3-2AAMA11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 217970408
Ducted, 2 tons49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH2 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21574628785.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX24HS-2AAMA6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 215866654
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD36MSK3IH3 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 21713819982.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA9 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 215866690
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD60MSK3IH4 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 21713820182.7(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 upNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18Z-E-M210 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21872943496.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX06WM-2AAMA12 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 215866628
Non-ducted, 2 tons67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21574628189.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX24CT-2AAMA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215866644
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH36FMK3IH7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21574628378.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215866691
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21574628473.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215866694
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size classNone 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 typeAireForceAll-around score, best modelKadenAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574628586.7(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 tons72.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD24MSK3IH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713819878.8(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 tons61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574628883.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866690
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IH15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713820085.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS648HP-2AAMA19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866678
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class62.5(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 tons78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IH10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21601172796.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX06WM-2AAMA13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866628
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH24PUK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21601173186.8(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 tons70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574628278.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)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 tons67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574628475.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866692
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class58.6(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
RatingAireForceKaden
COP at 5°Fbeats 88% · 2.10DXH36FMK3IHNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 2.54KOB-PSX24HP-2AAMANon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 94% · 100%UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 120%KOB-HH-PSX09HP-2AAMADucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 90% · 10.5UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 14.8KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 97% · 26.0DXH24PSK3IHNon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 97% · 25.0KOB-PS327HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS427HP-2AAMANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 94% · 13.0DXH42FMK3IHNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 18.0KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hUXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hKOB-HH-UUX60HP-2AAMADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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