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DUCTLESSAIRE vs J-KU heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, J-KU scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. DUCTLESSAIRE has 10 outdoor models, J-KU has 10 outdoor models. DUCTLESSAIRE and J-KU 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.
DUCTLESSAIRE and J-KU 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, J-KU scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • DUCTLESSAIRE
  • J-KU
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DUCTLESS…J-KU

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingDUCTLESSAIREJ-KU
Efficiency index51%median —62%median —
COP at 5°F47%median 1.8849%median 1.84
Capacity retention at 5°F36%median 67%66%median 87%
HSPF254% (higher)median 9.148% (higher)median 9.0
SEER261%median 21.167%median 21.5
EER249%median 11.671%median 12.8
Heating capacity at 5°F34%median 11,350 Btu/h61%median 15,015 Btu/h
Outdoor models1010
AHRI certifications1410

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDUCTLESSAIREJ-KU
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)60%6 models100%10 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)60%6 models100%10 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)40%4 models90%9 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate20%2 models80%8 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 · 4 groups where both have models
  • DUCTLESSAIRE
  • J-KU
  • All models of the group
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 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 typeDUCTLESSAIREJ-KU
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 72%None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 64%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons6 · index 48%6 · index 62%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 35%2 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 67%1 · index 70%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 48%1 · index 45%

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 typeDUCTLESSAIRECold-climate score, best modelJ-KUCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DA27-3Z-0*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208136325No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons80.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DA0921-H2-O*with ductless indoor unit DA0921-H2-I3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 20813630683.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)JKS09HP230V1XCwith ductless indoor unit JKS09HP230V1XE5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 211583739
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)64.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)JKS-24H2HP-M3O2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213286754
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DA27-3Z-0*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 20813632464.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)JKS-36H2HP-M4O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213286756
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)41.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)JKS-42H2HP-M5O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213286755

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 typeDUCTLESSAIREAll-around score, best modelJ-KUAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DA27-3Z-0*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208136325No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DA48-5Z-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209862298No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons83.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DA0921-H2-O*with ductless indoor unit DA0921-H2-I6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20813630689.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)JKS09HP230V1XCwith ductless indoor unit JKS09HP230V1XE6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211583739
Non-ducted, 2 tons56.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DA2421-H2-O*with ductless indoor unit DA2421-H2-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20813630971.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)JKS-24H2HP-M3O2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286754
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DA27-3Z-0*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20813632469.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)JKS-36H2HP-M4O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286756
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DA48-5Z-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20986229744.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)JKS-42H2HP-M5O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213286755

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
RatingDUCTLESSAIREJ-KU
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.38DA1821-H2-O*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 2.41JKS12HP230V1XCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 67% · 80%DA0921-H2-O*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 113%JKS-36H2HP-M4ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 95% · 9.7DA48-5Z-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 79% · 10.5JKS09HP230V1XCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 98% · 21.0DA27-3Z-0*Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 27.5JKS09HP230V1XCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 85% · 14.0DA0921-H2-O*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 93% · 15.5JKS09HP230V1XCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 73% · 12,600 Btu/hDA1821-H2-O*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 92% · 18,000 Btu/hJKS-18H2HP-M2ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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