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CADET vs TKS heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, CADET scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. CADET has 8 outdoor models, TKS has 8 outdoor models. CADET and TKS have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
CADET and TKS on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, CADET scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • CADET
  • TKS
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CADETTKS

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCADETTKS
Efficiency index71% (higher)median —31% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F44% (higher)median 2.0023% (higher)median 1.81
Capacity retention at 5°F85% (higher)median 96%43% (higher)median 74%
HSPF281% (higher)median 10.516% (higher)median 8.5
SEER268% (higher)median 21.535% (higher)median 20.3
EER275% (higher)median 12.836% (higher)median 11.9
Heating capacity at 5°F83% (higher)median 21,000 Btu/h36% (higher)median 10,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models88
AHRI certifications168

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCADETTKS
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%8 models75%6 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%8 models75%6 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%8 models100%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate100%8 models0%0 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 3 groups where both have models
  • CADET
  • TKS
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeCADETTKS
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1 · index 77%None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 81%None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 84%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 71%5 · index 31%
Non-ducted, 2 tons1 · index 73%1 · index 25%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 55%2 · index 37%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 63%None

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeCADETCold-climate score, best modelTKSCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068761 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218471385No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068782 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218471391No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068791 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218471394No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)500006882with ductless indoor unit 5000068744 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21847138241.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TWSG-0919SR32220Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-0919SR32220I5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217559889
Non-ducted, 2 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)500006883with ductless indoor unit 5000068751 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21847138313.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TWSG-2419SR32Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-2419SR32I1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217559891
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)5000068782 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21847139228.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TWSG-3019SR32Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-3019SR32I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218404671
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons68.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068791 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218471395No models in this size class

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeCADETAll-around score, best modelTKSAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068761 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471385No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068782 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471391No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068791 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471394No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)500006880with ductless indoor unit 5000068724 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21847138044.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TWSG-0919SR32220Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-0919SR32220I5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217559889
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)500006883with ductless indoor unit 5000068751 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21847138324.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TWSG-2419SR32Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-2419SR32I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217559891
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)5000068782 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21847139037.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TWSG-3619SR32Owith ductless indoor unit TWSG-3619SR32I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218404672
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068791 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471393No models in this size class

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingCADETTKS
COP at 5°Fbeats 63% · 2.00500006876Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 49% · 1.94TWSG-0919SR32220ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 95% · 104%500006878Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 54% · 77%TWSG-3019SR32ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 11.0500006879Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 23% · 8.8TWSG-0919SR32110ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 96% · 20.4500006879Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 57% · 22.0TWSG-3019SR32ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 91% · 15.0500006880Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 56% · 12.5TWSG-0919SR32220ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 94% · 37,400 Btu/h500006878Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 69% · 12,100 Btu/hTWSG-1819SR32ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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