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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AireForce

  1. 1DXH18FMK3IHAireForce1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 39.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    48.6score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 58
  2. 2AC-18-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-18-AH-E-32AireForce1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.3 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    47.1score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 45
  3. 3FSH4BE5M1SP18Kwith indoor coil C75B(A,H)MX24C*A and furnace FG7S(*)-(*)A(*)AireForceAlso listed as WSH4BE5M1SP18K1.5 tons · 17,800 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 44% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    47% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.75 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.3 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    20.3score / 100Heating 15 · Cooling 26

Kerr

  1. 1A-KHP09SA-1with ducted air handler B-KHP09DA-1Kerr1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 79.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    120% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.5score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 93
  2. 2A-ZKP15SA-1with ducted air handler B-ZKP15SA-1Kerr1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 75.1Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    27.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.9score / 100Heating 75 · Cooling 93
  3. 3A-KHP183A-1Kerr1.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.8Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 84

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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