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Durastar vs Kaden: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Durastar model beats 53% and a typical Kaden model 61%. Kaden rates higher overall.

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

Durastar

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

67 models listed

Kaden

61%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

66 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°FDurastar: Beats 64%Kaden: Beats 58%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDurastar: Beats 51%Kaden: Beats 53%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Durastar: Beats 54%Kaden: Beats 64%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Durastar: Beats 47%Kaden: Beats 63%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Durastar: Beats 47%Kaden: Beats 65%

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

    Durastar
    54%
    Kaden
    68%

  • Xcel CC

    Durastar
    48%
    Kaden
    59%

  • CEE Advanced

    Durastar
    5%
    Kaden
    3%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Durastar
    49%
    Kaden
    58%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

Durastar

  1. 1DRA5H36M2ADurastar3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 106% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.5score / 100
  2. 2DRU1H30S2Awith ducted air handler DRUF3022S2ADurastar2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    78.3score / 100
  3. 3DRU1H36S2Awith ducted air handler DRUM3036S2ADurastar3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 105% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    73.1score / 100

Kaden

  1. 1KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAKadenAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 106% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.5score / 100
  2. 2KOB-HH-UUX36HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-HH-UUX36AH3-2AAMAKaden3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 91% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    91% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.06 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100
  3. 3KOB-HH-UUX30HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-HH-UUX30AH3-2AAMAKaden2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 101% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    77.0score / 100

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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