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AireForce vs Kerr: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AireForce model beats 41% and a typical Kerr model 66%. Kerr 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

Kerr

66%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

38 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%Kerr: Beats 59%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAireForce: Beats 43%Kerr: Beats 77%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AireForce: Beats 37%Kerr: Beats 78%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AireForce: Beats 43%Kerr: Beats 64%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AireForce: Beats 47%Kerr: Beats 62%

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%
    Kerr
    79%

  • Xcel CC

    AireForce
    48%
    Kerr
    90%

  • CEE Advanced

    AireForce
    4%
    Kerr
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AireForce
    22%
    Kerr
    90%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AireForce

  1. 1UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IHAireForce4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 85.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.1score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 87
  2. 2DXH42FMK3IHAireForce3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.1score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 83
  3. 3AC-48-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-48-AH-E-32AireForce4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.2Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    84% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    53.2score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 34

Kerr

  1. 1A-KHP486A-1Kerr4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    83.9score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2A-KHP556A-1Kerr4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    82.0score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 83
  3. 3A-KXP48SA-1with ducted air handler B-KXP48SA-1Kerr4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 68.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    16.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    57.1score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 45

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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