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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 43% and a typical Star Air Kontrol model 51%. Star Air Kontrol rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

BOREAL

43%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

28 models listed

Star Air Kontrol

51%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

55 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 31%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 56%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBOREAL: Beats 60%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 35%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BOREAL: Beats 37%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 61%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BOREAL: Beats 44%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 57%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BOREAL: Beats 42%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 41%

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
    71%
    Star Air Kontrol
    51%

  • Xcel CC

    BOREAL
    68%
    Star Air Kontrol
    24%

  • CEE Advanced

    BOREAL
    0%
    Star Air Kontrol
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BOREAL
    39%
    Star Air Kontrol
    20%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

BOREAL

  1. 1MBRS18HPJ1OEBOREAL1.5 tons · 17,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.21 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    73.1score / 100
  2. 2KULA09HPL1OBwith ductless indoor unit KULA09HPL1IBBOREAL1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 99% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.87 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    65.1score / 100
  3. 3KULA18HPJ1OBwith ductless indoor unit BDUCT18HPJ1DABOREAL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 74% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.12 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    51.7score / 100

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1SAK-09-OC/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-OC/220VStar Air Kontrol1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.37 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    84.7score / 100
  2. 2SAK-18-24MS/220with ductless indoor unit SAK-18-24MS/220Star Air Kontrol1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.38 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Great
    70.6score / 100
  3. 3SAK-09-CC/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-CC/220VStar Air Kontrol1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    63.3score / 100

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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