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BOREAL vs Star Air Kontrol: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BOREAL model beats 53% and a typical Star Air Kontrol model 56%. Star Air Kontrol rates slightly higher overall.

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

BOREAL

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

49 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°FBOREAL: Beats 43%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 61%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBOREAL: Beats 59%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 46%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BOREAL: Beats 41%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 66%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BOREAL: Beats 59%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 62%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BOREAL: Beats 58%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

    BOREAL
    88%
    Star Air Kontrol
    84%

  • Xcel CC

    BOREAL
    88%
    Star Air Kontrol
    71%

  • CEE Advanced

    BOREAL
    6%
    Star Air Kontrol
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BOREAL
    61%
    Star Air Kontrol
    49%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

BOREAL

  1. 1BRS36HPJ132OAwith ducted air handler DUC36HPJ132IABOREAL3 tons · 33,600 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 46.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    64.6score / 100Heating 46 · Cooling 83
  2. 2MUL30HPJ132OABOREAL2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    61.6score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 75
  3. 3ARXE30HPJ1R32OAwith ducted air handler ARX30HPJ1R32IABOREAL2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 62.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.14 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    8.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    61.4score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 60

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1S27TZL2C*Star Air Kontrol2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.9score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 90
  2. 2SAK-36-QZ/220VStar Air Kontrol3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 60.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    69.5score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 79
  3. 3SAK-36-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-36-DT1/220VStar Air Kontrol3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 64% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    64% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.0score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 47

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.

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