AIRSTAR vs Comfort Kool heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIRSTAR scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AIRSTAR has 3 outdoor models, Comfort Kool has 3 outdoor models. AIRSTAR and Comfort Kool have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · sources

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.

AIRSTAR and Comfort Kool 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, AIRSTAR scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

AIRSTAR
Comfort Kool
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AIRSTAR	Comfort Kool
Efficiency index	60% (higher)median —	34% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	34%median 1.80	36%median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F	53% (higher)median 75%	27% (higher)median 69%
HSPF2	58% (higher)median 9.5	45% (higher)median 9.5
SEER2	73% (higher)median 23.0	41% (higher)median 21.0
EER2	73% (higher)median 13.0	22% (higher)median 10.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	59% (higher)median 9,000 Btu/h	44% (higher)median 12,500 Btu/h
Outdoor models	3	3
AHRI certifications	3	3

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AIRSTAR	Comfort Kool
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%3 models	100%3 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%3 models	100%3 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	100%3 models	33.3%1 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	0%0 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 · 1 groups where both have models

AIRSTAR
Comfort Kool
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	AIRSTAR	Comfort Kool
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 60%	2 · index 31%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 39%

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	AIRSTARCold-climate score, best model	Comfort KoolCold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TCL18C25M3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217727836	37.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCKA12K01Cwith ductless indoor unit MCKA12K01E1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217477891
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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	AIRSTARAll-around score, best model	Comfort KoolAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TCL18C25M3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217727836	32.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCKA12K01Cwith ductless indoor unit MCKA12K01E2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217477891
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	39.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MCKA24K02Cwith ductless indoor unit MCKA24K02E1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217477893

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	AIRSTAR	Comfort Kool
COP at 5°F	beats 63% · 2.00TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 71% · 2.10MCKA24K02CNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 61% · 80%TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 47% · 75%MCKA12K01CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 79% · 10.5TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 45% · 9.5MCKA12K01CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 75% · 24.0TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 47% · 21.0MCKA24K02CNon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 70% · 13.0TCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 23% · 10.5MCKA12K01CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 88% · 16,000 Btu/hTCL18C25MNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 72% · 12,500 Btu/hMCKA18K02CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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