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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 5 tons and up

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

Showing Ducted, 5 tons and up (57,000 Btu/h and up cooling). What size is my system?

BOREAL

No ducted, 5 tons and up model from BOREAL.

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1SAK-60-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-60-DT1/220VStar Air Kontrol5 tons · 58,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    65.3score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 48
  2. 2SAK-60-QZ/220VStar Air Kontrol5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    62.5score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 54

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