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COMFORTSTAR vs KANIONco heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, COMFORTSTAR scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. COMFORTSTAR has 133 outdoor models, KANIONco has 56 outdoor models. COMFORTSTAR and KANIONco 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.
COMFORTSTAR and KANIONco 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, COMFORTSTAR scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • COMFORTSTAR
  • KANIONco
  • Other ranked manufacturers
COMFORTS…KANIONco

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCOMFORTSTARKANIONco
Efficiency index50% (higher)median —47% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F51% (higher)median 2.0037% (higher)median 1.83
Capacity retention at 5°F48% (higher)median 71%45% (higher)median 72%
HSPF254% (higher)median 8.750% (higher)median 9.5
SEER249%median 17.158%median 19.0
EER244% (higher)median 11.241% (higher)median 11.1
Heating capacity at 5°F52% (higher)median 20,600 Btu/h49% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models13356
AHRI certifications46160

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCOMFORTSTARKANIONco
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)53.4%71 models66.1%37 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)53.4%71 models66.1%37 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.5%2 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)46.6%62 models62.5%35 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.5%2 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate30.1%40 models35.7%20 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • COMFORTSTAR
  • KANIONco
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 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 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 typeCOMFORTSTARKANIONco
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons17 · index 67%7 · index 23%
Ducted, 2 tons17 · index 48%4 · index 55%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons31 · index 49%7 · index 57%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons36 · index 49%10 · index 49%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index 64%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons25 · index 56%19 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2 tons7 · index 46%4 · index 40%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons18 · index 44%6 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons11 · index 39%3 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 27%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 typeCOMFORTSTARCold-climate score, best modelKANIONcoCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)13 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 21713837557.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS201 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217048780
Ducted, 2 tons77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler AHU3-24M12 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 21713836167.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEAlso listed as KAHUO-24IR454BHS20AE3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218043597
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-36DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-36DU(I)12 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 21713838764.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEAlso listed as KAHUO-36IR454BHS18AE6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 218043598
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-48-6SH16 of 36 models qualify · AHRI 21672091964.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEAlso listed as KAHUO-60IR454BHS17AE10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218043600
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons94.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit T1W3-06CD(I)17 of 25 models qualify · AHRI 21713838370.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS27R15 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 218396955
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit TIP3-24CD(I)4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21713837458.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218399921
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-36DU(O)with ductless indoor unit FPA3-36DU(I)14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 21713838468.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5R4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218396956
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-60-6SH9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 21672092348.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-48IR454BHS24R3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396958
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No 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 typeCOMFORTSTARAll-around score, best modelKANIONcoAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713837569.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS207 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048780
Ducted, 2 tons78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-24CD(I)15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672090279.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEAlso listed as KAHUO-24IR454BHS20AE4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218043597
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CVH3-36-5SH27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672091669.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-27IR454BHS207 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048781
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CMZ3-55-6Z32 of 36 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672093467.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-42IR454BHS1910 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048783
Ducted, 5 tons and up65.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-60DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-60DU(I)2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720905No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-06CD(I)22 of 25 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21713836882.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS27R19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396955
Non-ducted, 2 tons74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPP3-24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-24CD(I)6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672088756.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218399921
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-36-5SH17 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672091583.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5R6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396956
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-60-6SH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21672092170.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-48IR454BHS24R3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396958
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ3-62-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720936No 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
RatingCOMFORTSTARKANIONco
COP at 5°Fbeats 98% · 2.47CPP3-12CD(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 81% · 2.03KWSM-36IR454BHS19PNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 115%CHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 92% · 106%KWSM-09IR454BHS25RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 11.0CVH3-48-6SHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 80% · 10.5KWSMO-27IR454BHS20Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 97% · 22.0C32-MZ-2Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 26.5KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5RNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 99% · 14.4CHF3-06CD(O)Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 14.0KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5RNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 42,500 Btu/hCHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 19,800 Btu/hKWSMO-18IR454BHS27RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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