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

AireForce

  1. 1AC-18-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-18-AH-E-32AireForce1.5 tons · 18,000 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    49.3score / 100
  2. 2DXH18FMK3IHAireForce1.5 tons · 18,000 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
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    39.3score / 100

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1SAK-06-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-06-DT1/220VStar Air Kontrol0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 98% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.41 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    93.5score / 100
  2. 2SAK-09-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-09-DT1/220VStar Air Kontrol1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    80.1score / 100
  3. 3SAK-18-DZ/220VStar Air Kontrol1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    72.6score / 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