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 Kerr 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, Kerr scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

AireForce
Kerr
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AireForce	Kerr
Efficiency index	41%median —	66%median —
COP at 5°F	33%median 1.81	59%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	43%median 70%	77%median 95%
HSPF2	37%median 8.5	78%median 10.0
SEER2	43%median 17.0	64%median 19.5
EER2	47%median 11.0	62%median 11.9
Heating capacity at 5°F	43%median 18,800 Btu/h	73%median 18,500 Btu/h
Outdoor models	54	38
AHRI certifications	187	113

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AireForce	Kerr
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	51.9%28 models	78.9%30 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	50%27 models	76.3%29 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	3.7%2 models	2.6%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	48.1%26 models	89.5%34 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	3.7%2 models	2.6%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	22.2%12 models	89.5%34 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
Kerr
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	Kerr
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	4 · index 34%	7 · index 75%
Ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 34%	3 · index 60%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	11 · index 33%	7 · index 66%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	15 · index 36%	5 · index 61%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	10 · index 46%	18 · index 66%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 59%	3 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 56%	3 · index 67%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 68%	2 · index 67%

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	KerrCold-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	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP18SA-1with ducted air handler B-KHP18DA-17 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217482433
Ducted, 2 tons	49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH2 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746287	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP24SA-1with ducted air handler B-KHP24DA-13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217482436
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	76.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH24-36MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD36MSK3IH3 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217138199	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP365A-17 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 216097146
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	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)A-KHP486A-15 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216097150
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	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP06SA-1with ductless indoor unit B-KHP06SA-112 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 216097110
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24FMK3IH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215746281	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP24SA-1with ductless indoor unit B-KHP24CA-13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217482434
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH36FMK3IH7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 215746283	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP365A-13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216097148
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH42FMK3IH1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 215746284	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP486A-12 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216097152

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	KerrAll-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	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP09SA-1with ducted air handler B-KHP09DA-17 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217482423
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	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP24SA-1with ducted air handler B-KHP24DA-13 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217482436
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	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP365A-17 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216097146
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UXH48-60MSK3IHwith ducted air handler UMD48MSK3IH15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138200	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP486A-15 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216097150
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	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP06SA-1with ductless indoor unit B-KHP06SA-116 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216097110
Non-ducted, 2 tons	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DXH24PSK3IHwith ductless indoor unit DHH24PUK3IH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216011731	76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP24SA-1with ductless indoor unit B-KHP24SA-1Also listed as A-ZKP24SA-13 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216097114
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	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP365A-13 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216097145
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	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-KHP486A-12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216097149

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	Kerr
COP at 5°F	beats 88% · 2.10DXH36FMK3IHNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 97% · 2.40A-KHP06SA-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 94% · 100%UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 150%A-KZP06SA-1Also listed as A-ZKP06SA-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 90% · 10.5UXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 15.6A-KZP06SA-1Also listed as A-ZKP06SA-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 97% · 26.0DXH24PSK3IHNon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 27.0A-ZKP15SA-1Ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 94% · 13.0DXH42FMK3IHNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 18.0A-KHP06SA-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hUXH48-60MSK3IHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 22,600 Btu/hA-KZP18SA-1Also listed as A-ZKP18SA-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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AireForce vs Kerr heat pumps