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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AireForce

  1. 1DXH24FMK3IHAireForce2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    49.0score / 100
  2. 2AC-24-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-24-AH-E-32AireForce2 tons · 23,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 78% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    45.9score / 100

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1SAK-24-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-24-DT1/220VStar Air Kontrol2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    77.1score / 100
  2. 2S24SCQ2Cwith ducted air handler S24AUPDAStar Air Kontrol2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    68.9score / 100
  3. 3SAK-24SQN2-M18Mwith ducted air handler SAK-24SQN1-M18MStar Air KontrolAlso listed as SAK-36SQN2-M18M2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 83% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.4 (HSPF2)
    Good
    67.2score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view