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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 59% and a typical KADEN model 58%. Durastar rates slightly higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

Durastar

59%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

35 models listed

KADEN

58%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

24 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 54%KADEN: Beats 52%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDurastar: Beats 55%KADEN: Beats 41%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Durastar: Beats 66%KADEN: Beats 69%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Durastar: Beats 62%KADEN: Beats 74%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Durastar: Beats 57%KADEN: Beats 49%

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
    57%
    KADEN
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    Durastar
    46%
    KADEN
    25%

  • CEE Advanced

    Durastar
    3%
    KADEN
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Durastar
    60%
    KADEN
    25%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating 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. 1DRA3H28M1ADurastar2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    74.6score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 83
  2. 2DRA3U28M1BDurastar2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 57.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.83 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.5score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 86
  3. 3DRA4H36M1ADurastar3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 63.7Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.2score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 79

KADEN

  1. 1KO-PS327HP-2AAMAKADEN2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    75.4score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 86
  2. 2KO-PS436HP-2AAMAKADEN3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 64% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    65% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.68 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    56.6score / 100Heating 44 · Cooling 69
  3. 3KO-UUS36HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KI-UUS36AHU-2AAMAKADENAlso listed as KO-UUX36HP-2AAMA3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 58% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.9 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    46.5score / 100Heating 47 · Cooling 46

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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