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Hessaire vs KARDA heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, KARDA scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. Hessaire has 11 outdoor models, KARDA has 11 outdoor models. Hessaire and KARDA have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
Hessaire and KARDA on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, KARDA scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • Hessaire
  • KARDA
  • Other ranked manufacturers
HessaireKARDA

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingHessaireKARDA
Efficiency index50%median —66%median —
COP at 5°F35%median 1.8638%median 1.89
Capacity retention at 5°F50%median 70%67%median 94%
HSPF239%median 8.578%median 10.5
SEER246%median 17.578%median 21.1
EER231%median 10.263%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F52%median 18,000 Btu/h64%median 17,700 Btu/h
Outdoor models1111
AHRI certifications1133

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardHessaireKARDA
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)54.5%6 models100%11 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)54.5%6 models90.9%10 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)36.4%4 models81.8%9 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate36.4%4 models72.7%8 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 5 groups where both have models
  • Hessaire
  • KARDA
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeHessaireKARDA
Ducted, 2 tons1 · index 48%2 · index 80%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 63%2 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 51%1 · index 64%
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone5 · index 61%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons5 · index 46%5 · index 71%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 43%1 · index 66%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone2 · index 60%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone1 · index 48%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeHessaireCold-climate score, best modelKARDACold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)3KARDA09SZOwith ducted air handler 3KARDA09UVD5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 207796637
Ducted, 2 tons61.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)HOC24with ducted air handler HAH241 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21252452979.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)1KARDA24SZO20.5with ducted air handler 2PAMSDH24Also listed as 3KARDA24SZO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 206348123
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)HOC36with ducted air handler HAH361 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21252453057.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)3KARDA27MZ31 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 207657362
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons34.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)H12E1with ductless indoor unit H12E11 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 20691362277.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3KARDA12SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3KARDA12CON-24 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 210410112
Non-ducted, 2 tons32.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24E2with ductless indoor unit H24E21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21328679986.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3KARDA24SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3KARDA24UVC1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207796643
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)3KARDA27MZ31 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 207657363
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeHessaireAll-around score, best modelKARDAAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)3KARDA09SZOwith ducted air handler 3KARDA09UVD5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207796637
Ducted, 2 tons48.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)HOC24with ducted air handler HAH241 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21252452980.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)1KARDA24SZO20.5with ducted air handler 2PAMSDH24Also listed as 3KARDA24SZO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206348123
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons63.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)HOC36with ducted air handler HAH361 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21252453071.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3KARDA27MZ32 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657362
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)HOC48with ducted air handler HAH482 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21252453163.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3KARDA48MZ51 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657369
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons46.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)H18E2with ductless indoor unit H18E22 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20691362384.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3KARDA09SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3KARDA09UVW5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207430429
Non-ducted, 2 tons42.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24E2with ductless indoor unit H24E21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21328679970.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)3KARDA24SZOwith ductless indoor unit 3KARDA24UVW1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207430431
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)3KARDA27MZ32 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657363
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)3KARDA48MZ51 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207657368

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingHessaireKARDA
COP at 5°Fbeats 75% · 2.05HOC36Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 65% · 2.003KARDA18MZ2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 63% · 76%HOC36Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 93% · 108%3KARDA09SZODucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 83% · 9.5HOC36Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 12.03KARDA09SZODucted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 82% · 17.5HOC48Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 21.03KARDA27MZ3Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 68% · 13.0H18E2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 15.83KARDA09SZONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 66% · 11,900 Btu/hH18E2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 93% · 27,000 Btu/h1KARDA24SZO20.5Also listed as 3KARDA24SZODucted, 2 tons

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