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CADET vs TKS: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CADET model beats 71% and a typical TKS 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

TKS

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%TKS: Beats 23%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCADET: Beats 85%TKS: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CADET: Beats 81%TKS: Beats 16%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CADET: Beats 68%TKS: Beats 35%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CADET: Beats 75%TKS: Beats 36%

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%
    TKS
    75%

  • Xcel CC

    CADET
    100%
    TKS
    100%

  • CEE Advanced

    CADET
    0%
    TKS
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CADET
    100%
    TKS
    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

TKS

  1. 1TWSG-0919SR32220Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-0919SR32220ITKS1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 41.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.94 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Good
    44.9score / 100Heating 42 · Cooling 48
  2. 2TWSG-0919SR32110Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-0919SR32110ITKS1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 37.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.9 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    37.9score / 100Heating 37 · Cooling 39
  3. 3TWSG-1819SR32Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-1819SR32ITKS1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 25.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    31.4score / 100Heating 25 · Cooling 37

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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