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Gridless vs KARDA: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Gridless model beats 60% and a typical KARDA model 66%. KARDA rates higher overall.

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

Gridless

60%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

11 models listed

KARDA

66%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

11 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°FGridless: Beats 40%KARDA: Beats 38%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FGridless: Beats 77%KARDA: Beats 67%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Gridless: Beats 60%KARDA: Beats 78%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Gridless: Beats 68%KARDA: Beats 78%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Gridless: Beats 56%KARDA: Beats 63%

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

    Gridless
    100%
    KARDA
    100%

  • Xcel CC

    Gridless
    100%
    KARDA
    82%

  • CEE Advanced

    Gridless
    0%
    KARDA
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Gridless
    91%
    KARDA
    73%

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?

Gridless

  1. 1O-AYC36SD-1with ducted air handler I-AYC36VAH-1Gridless3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 75.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    63.2score / 100Heating 75 · Cooling 51

KARDA

  1. 13KARDA27MZ3KARDA2.5 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
  2. 23KARDA36MZ4KARDA3 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

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.

Open the advanced view