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AireForce vs Star Air Kontrol: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AireForce model beats 41% and a typical Star Air Kontrol model 56%. Star Air Kontrol 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

Star Air Kontrol

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

51 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%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 61%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAireForce: Beats 43%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 46%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AireForce: Beats 37%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 66%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AireForce: Beats 43%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 62%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AireForce: Beats 47%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 45%

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%
    Star Air Kontrol
    84%

  • Xcel CC

    AireForce
    48%
    Star Air Kontrol
    71%

  • CEE Advanced

    AireForce
    4%
    Star Air Kontrol
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AireForce
    22%
    Star Air Kontrol
    49%

All-around best, ductless 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AireForce

  1. 1DXH30FMK3IHAireForce2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.8Meets 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
    2.07 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.6 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    70.5score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 71
  2. 2AC-30Z-E-M4AireForce2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    66.6score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 76
  3. 3DXH36FMK3IHAireForce3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 77.2Meets 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)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    64.5score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 52

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1S27TZL2C*Star Air Kontrol2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    65.1score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 73
  2. 2SAK-36-QZ/220VStar Air Kontrol3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 47.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.1 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    58.3score / 100Heating 47 · Cooling 69
  3. 3S36QZL2C*Star Air Kontrol3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 52.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    51.1score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 50

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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