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 KANIONco 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, AireForce and KANIONco split the 6 ratings 3–3.

AireForce
KANIONco
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AireForce	KANIONco
Efficiency index	45%median —	46%median —
COP at 5°F	32%median 1.81	49%median 1.92
Capacity retention at 5°F	65% (higher)median 77%	37% (higher)median 66%
HSPF2	37%median 8.5	45%median 8.8
SEER2	40%median 17.5	48%median 19.0
EER2	43% (higher)median 11.0	38% (higher)median 10.3
Heating capacity at 5°F	63% (higher)median 19,800 Btu/h	37% (higher)median 11,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	23	91
AHRI certifications	54	107

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AireForce	KANIONco
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	52.2%12 models	57.1%52 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	52.2%12 models	52.7%48 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	56.5%13 models	33%30 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	34.8%8 models	17.6%16 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 · 7 groups where both have models

AireForce
KANIONco
All models of the group

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	AireForce	KANIONco
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 31%	5 · index 64%
Ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 53%	1 · index 80%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 52%	7 · index 59%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 63%	4 · index 57%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	1 · index 57%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	8 · index 28%	53 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 57%	12 · index 38%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	5 · index 60%	14 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	2 · index 48%

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 type	AireForceCold-climate score, best model	KANIONcoCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	35.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-11 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 211635197	74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KD-09IR410AHSODUwith ducted air handler KD-09IR410AHSIDU5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212615045
Ducted, 2 tons	50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24(7.0)FMK4DH-11 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211635198	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KD-24IR410AHSODUwith ducted air handler KD-24IR410AHSIDU1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212615048
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	55.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24-36MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH**-36MSK4DH14 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 206724405	57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-30R410AIHMVAlso listed as KWSMO-27R410AIHH2 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 207691850
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	58.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH48-60MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH48-**MSK4DH11 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 206724406	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-17 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 211635192	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSM-06IR410AHS26.5ODUwith ductless indoor unit KWSM-06IR410AHS26.5IDU22 of 53 models qualify · AHRI 213160460
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24(7.0)FMK4DH-12 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211635193	84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSM-24IR410AHS21.5ODUwith ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR410AHS21.5IDU1 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 213160464
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GXH42(12.3)FMK4DH-15 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 211635196	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-30R410AIHMVAlso listed as KWSMO-27R410AIHH2 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 207691849
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	None 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 type	AireForceAll-around score, best model	KANIONcoAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-11 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635197	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KD-09IR410AHSODUwith ducted air handler KD-09IR410AHSIDU5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212615045
Ducted, 2 tons	60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24-36MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH24-**MSK4DH12 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206724404	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KD-24IR410AHSODUwith ducted air handler KD-24IR410AHSIDU1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212615048
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-13 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635199	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-30R410AIHMVAlso listed as KWSMO-27R410AIHH5 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207691850
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH48-60MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH48-**MSK4DH11 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206724406	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-48R410AIHMVAlso listed as KWSMO-48R410AIHH3 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207691853
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KD-60IR410AHSODUwith ducted air handler KD-60IR410AHSIDU1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212615044
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	58.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-18 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635192	92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSM-06IR410AHS26.5ODUwith ductless indoor unit KWSM-06IR410AHS26.5IDU48 of 53 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213160460
Non-ducted, 2 tons	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24(7.0)FMK4DH-12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635193	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSM-24IR410AHS21.5ODUwith ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR410AHS21.5IDU11 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213160464
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GXH42(12.3)FMK4DH-15 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635196	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-30R410AIHMVAlso listed as KWSMO-27R410AIHH11 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207691849
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-48R410AIHMVAlso listed as KWSMO-48R410AIHH2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207691852

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
Rating	AireForce	KANIONco
COP at 5°F	beats 89% · 2.21GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 2.27KWSMO-27IR410AHSPNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 85% · 89%GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-1Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 93% · 108%KD-09IR410AHSODUDucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 82% · 10.0GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-1Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 13.6KWSM-06IR410AHS26.5ODUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 83% · 24.0GXH12(3.5)LSK4DH2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 28.1KWSM-09IR410AHS28.1ODUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 84% · 12.5GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-1Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 16.2KWSM-09IR410AHS28.1ODUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 86% · 14,500 Btu/hGXH18(5.3)LSK4DH2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 93% · 27,000 Btu/hKD-24IR410AHSODUDucted, 2 tons

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AireForce vs KANIONco heat pumps