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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%

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?

Durastar

  1. 1DRA1H06S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAW06F2ADurastar0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 94.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    107% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.29 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    14.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.3 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    93.8score / 100Heating 94 · Cooling 94
  2. 2DRA1U09S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAS09F2ADurastar1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.5Meets 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
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    92.6score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 96
  3. 3DRA1H09S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAS09F2ADurastar1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    126% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    27.2 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.1 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 96

Kaden

  1. 1KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX06WM-2AAMAKaden0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 96.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    14.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    96.2score / 100Heating 97 · Cooling 96
  2. 2KOB-PSX09HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX09WM-2AAMAKaden1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 84.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.37 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.8 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.9 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    88.3score / 100Heating 84 · Cooling 92
  3. 3KOB-HH-PS218HP-2AAMAKadenAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS318HP-2AAMA1.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    81.9score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 91

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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