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AireForce vs KANIONco: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AireForce model beats 41% and a typical KANIONco model 47%. KANIONco 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

KANIONco

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

56 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%KANIONco: Beats 37%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAireForce: Beats 43%KANIONco: Beats 45%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AireForce: Beats 37%KANIONco: Beats 50%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AireForce: Beats 43%KANIONco: Beats 58%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AireForce: Beats 47%KANIONco: Beats 41%

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%
    KANIONco
    66%
  • Xcel CC

    AireForce
    48%
    KANIONco
    63%
  • CEE Advanced

    AireForce
    4%
    KANIONco
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AireForce
    22%
    KANIONco
    36%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

AireForce

  1. 1AC-18Z-E-M2AireForce1.5 tons · 17,700 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    64.5score / 100
  2. 2DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IHAireForce1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    62.2score / 100
  3. 3DXH18FMK3IHAireForce1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    61.4score / 100

KANIONco

  1. 1KWSMO-18IR454BHS27RKANIONco1.5 tons · 20,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 99% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    70.9score / 100
  2. 2KWSMO-18IR454BHS20KANIONco1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    68.6score / 100
  3. 3KWSM-09IR454BHS25Rwith ductless indoor unit KWSM-09IR454BHS25RKANIONco1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 106% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    63.6score / 100

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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