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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 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 Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Gridless

  1. 1O-AYD09SD-1with ductless indoor unit I-AYD09W-1Gridless1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    1.94 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    72.9score / 100
  2. 2O-AYD12SD-1with ductless indoor unit I-AYD12W-1Gridless1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 83% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    58.2score / 100
  3. 3O-AYD18SD-2Gridless1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    56.0score / 100

KARDA

  1. 13KARDA12SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3KARDA12CON-2KARDA1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 99% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.99 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.0score / 100
  2. 23KARDA09SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3KARDA09UVWKARDA1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 94% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    74.8score / 100
  3. 33KARDA18SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3KARDA18UVWKARDAAlso listed as 3PAMSHH18-SZO1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    1.89 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Great
    70.3score / 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.

Open the advanced view