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, KANIONco scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

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	41%median —	47%median —
COP at 5°F	33%median 1.81	37%median 1.83
Capacity retention at 5°F	43%median 70%	45%median 72%
HSPF2	37%median 8.5	50%median 9.5
SEER2	43%median 17.0	58%median 19.0
EER2	47% (higher)median 11.0	41% (higher)median 11.1
Heating capacity at 5°F	43%median 18,800 Btu/h	49%median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	54	56
AHRI certifications	187	60

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)	51.9%28 models	66.1%37 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	50%27 models	66.1%37 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	3.7%2 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	48.1%26 models	62.5%35 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	3.7%2 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	22.2%12 models	35.7%20 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
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	4 · index 34%	7 · index 23%
Ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 34%	4 · index 55%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	11 · index 33%	7 · index 57%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	15 · index 36%	10 · index 49%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	10 · index 46%	19 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 59%	4 · index 40%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 56%	6 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 68%	3 · index 51%

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	49.3(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 218729450	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-18IR454BHS201 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217048780
Ducted, 2 tons	49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH2 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746287	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEAlso listed as KAHUO-24IR454BHS20AE3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218043597
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD36MSK3IH3 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217138199	64.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEAlso listed as KAHUO-36IR454BHS18AE6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 218043598
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD60MSK3IH4 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 217138201	64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEAlso listed as KAHUO-60IR454BHS17AE10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218043600
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18Z-E-M210 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218729434	70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-18IR454BHS27R15 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 218396955
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH24FMK3IH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215746281	58.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218399921
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH36FMK3IH7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 215746283	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5R4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218396956
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215746284	48.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-48IR454BHS24R3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396958

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	48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH18FMK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746285	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-18IR454BHS207 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048780
Ducted, 2 tons	72.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD24MSK3IH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138198	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEAlso listed as KAHUO-24IR454BHS20AE4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218043597
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746288	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-27IR454BHS207 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048781
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IH15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138200	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-42IR454BHS1910 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048783
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH09PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH09PUK3IH10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011727	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-18IR454BHS27R19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396955
Non-ducted, 2 tons	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DXH24PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH24PUK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011731	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218399921
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH30FMK3IH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746282	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5R6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396956
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746284	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-48IR454BHS24R3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396958

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 88% · 2.10DXH36FMK3IHNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 81% · 2.03KWSM-36IR454BHS19PNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 94% · 100%UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 92% · 106%KWSM-09IR454BHS25RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 90% · 10.5UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 80% · 10.5KWSMO-27IR454BHS20Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 97% · 26.0DXH24PSK3IHNon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 99% · 26.5KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5RNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 94% · 13.0DXH42FMK3IHNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 97% · 14.0KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5RNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hUXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 19,800 Btu/hKWSMO-18IR454BHS27RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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AireForce vs KANIONco heat pumps