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Armbridge vs K&A: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Armbridge model beats 55% and a typical K&A model 30%. Armbridge rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Armbridge

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

23 models listed

K&A

30%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

23 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°FArmbridge: Beats 46%K&A: Beats 31%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FArmbridge: Beats 50%K&A: Beats 39%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Armbridge: Beats 62%K&A: Beats 33%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Armbridge: Beats 64%K&A: Beats 27%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Armbridge: Beats 49%K&A: Beats 28%

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

    Armbridge
    57%
    K&A
    17%
  • Xcel CC

    Armbridge
    61%
    K&A
    17%
  • CEE Advanced

    Armbridge
    4%
    K&A
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Armbridge
    39%
    K&A
    0%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

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

Armbridge

  1. 1AB-GTMH18-230VOArmbridge1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 74.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    79.0score / 100Heating 75 · Cooling 83
  2. 2AB-GTMR18-230VOArmbridge1.5 tons · 17,700 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.8 (EER2)
    Good
    61.1score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 67
  3. 3AB-BSD18HI-230VOwith ducted air handler AB-BMP18AHU-230VIArmbridge1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 35.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    63% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.4 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    38.9score / 100Heating 28 · Cooling 50

K&A

None of K&A’s ducted, up to 1.5 tons models has all five ratings.

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