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CADET vs ThinkAir: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CADET model beats 71% and a typical ThinkAir model 31%. CADET rates higher overall.

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

CADET

71%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

8 models listed

ThinkAir

31%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

8 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°FCADET: Beats 44%ThinkAir: Beats 32%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCADET: Beats 85%ThinkAir: Beats 23%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CADET: Beats 81%ThinkAir: Beats 43%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CADET: Beats 68%ThinkAir: Beats 33%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CADET: Beats 75%ThinkAir: Beats 26%

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

    CADET
    100%
    ThinkAir
    38%

  • Xcel CC

    CADET
    100%
    ThinkAir
    38%

  • CEE Advanced

    CADET
    0%
    ThinkAir
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CADET
    100%
    ThinkAir
    0%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

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

CADET

  1. 1500006880with ductless indoor unit 500006872CADET1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 65.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    79.5score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 94
  2. 2500006882with ductless indoor unit 500006874CADET1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.7 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    71.0score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 64
  3. 3500006881with ductless indoor unit 500006873CADET1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 60.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.2 (EER2)
    Great
    69.5score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 79

ThinkAir

  1. 1TFM2-18H1BThinkAir1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    72.2score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 76
  2. 2TE17-12H1Bwith ductless indoor unit TE17-12H1AThinkAir1 ton · 11,500 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 69% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    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
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    22.1score / 100Heating 36 · Cooling 8
  3. 3TE17-18H1Bwith ductless indoor unit TE17-18H1AThinkAir1.5 tons · 17,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 57% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (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
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    9.5score / 100Heating 11 · Cooling 8

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