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 Star Air Kontrol 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, AireForce and Star Air Kontrol split the 6 ratings 3–3.

AireForce
Star Air Kontrol
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AireForce	Star Air Kontrol
Efficiency index	45%median —	51%median —
COP at 5°F	32%median 1.81	56%median 1.99
Capacity retention at 5°F	65% (higher)median 77%	35% (higher)median 66%
HSPF2	37%median 8.5	61%median 9.2
SEER2	40%median 17.5	57%median 19.2
EER2	43% (higher)median 11.0	41% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	63% (higher)median 19,800 Btu/h	44% (higher)median 17,700 Btu/h
Outdoor models	23	55
AHRI certifications	54	70

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AireForce	Star Air Kontrol
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	52.2%12 models	50.9%28 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	52.2%12 models	43.6%24 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	56.5%13 models	23.6%13 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	34.8%8 models	20%11 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 · 7 groups where both have models

AireForce
Star Air Kontrol
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	Star Air Kontrol
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 31%	4 · index 58%
Ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 53%	3 · index 68%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 52%	6 · index 53%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 63%	7 · index 53%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	3 · index 51%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	8 · index 28%	18 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 57%	6 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	5 · index 60%	7 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	6 · index 41%

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	Star Air KontrolCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	35.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-11 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 211635197	67.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-12-DTMS/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-12-DTMS/220V2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213081463
Ducted, 2 tons	50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24(7.0)FMK4DH-11 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211635198	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-24-DTMS/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-24-DTMS/220V2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 211726522
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	55.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24-36MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH**-36MSK4DH14 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 206724405	57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 211726669
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	58.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH48-60MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH48-**MSK4DH11 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 206724406	None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-17 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 211635192	84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-09-OC/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-OC/220V4 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 213279897
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GXH24(7.0)FMK4DH-12 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211635193	74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-24CONS/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-24CONS/220V3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 213279887
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GXH42(12.3)FMK4DH-15 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 211635196	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*1 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 211726668
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	56.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48CONS/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-48CONS/220V1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 213279889

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	Star Air KontrolAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-11 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635197	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-18-DTMS/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-18-DTMS/220V4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726521
Ducted, 2 tons	60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24-36MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH24-**MSK4DH12 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206724404	83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-24-DTMS/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-24-DTMS/220V2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726522
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-13 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635199	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*4 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726669
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH48-60MSK4DHwith ducted air handler GMH48-**MSK4DH11 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206724406	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-48-21MUZ/220(OUT)*4 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726673
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-60-DTMS/220V*with ducted air handler SAK-60-DTMS/220V3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726674
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	58.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-18 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635192	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-09-OC/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-OC/220V18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213279897
Non-ducted, 2 tons	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)GXH24(7.0)FMK4DH-12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635193	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-24CONS/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-24CONS/220V6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213279887
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GXH42(12.3)FMK4DH-15 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635196	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726668
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48-21MUZ/220(OUT)*6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726672

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	Star Air Kontrol
COP at 5°F	beats 89% · 2.21GXH18(5.3)FMK4DH-1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 2.38SAK-18-24MS/220Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 85% · 89%GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-1Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 73% · 59%SAK-60-DTMS/220VDucted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2	beats 82% · 10.0GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-1Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 11.2SAK-24-DTMS/220VDucted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 83% · 24.0GXH12(3.5)LSK4DH2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 21.0SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 84% · 12.5GXH30(8.8)FMK4DH-1Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 85% · 12.5SAK-24-DTMS/220VDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 86% · 14,500 Btu/hGXH18(5.3)LSK4DH2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 79% · 13,100 Btu/hSAK-18-OC/220VNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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AireForce vs Star Air Kontrol heat pumps