IAIRE vs TKS heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, TKS scores higher on 2 of the 6 ratings. IAIRE has 8 outdoor models, TKS has 8 outdoor models. IAIRE and TKS have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · 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.

IAIRE and TKS 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, TKS scores higher on 2 of the 6 ratings.

IAIRE
TKS
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	IAIRE	TKS
Efficiency index	—median —	50%median —
COP at 5°F	—median —	34%median 1.82
Capacity retention at 5°F	—median —	35%median 66%
HSPF2	44%median 8.1	57%median 9.2
SEER2	59%median 16.0	66%median 21.1
EER2	49% (higher)median 10.7	48% (higher)median 10.7
Heating capacity at 5°F	—median —	38%median 17,400 Btu/h
Outdoor models	8	8
AHRI certifications	8	16

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	IAIRE	TKS
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	62.5%5 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	50%4 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	25%2 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	0%0 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 · 2 groups where both have models

IAIRE
TKS
All models of the group

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	IAIRE	TKS
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index —	None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index —	2 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index —	1 · index 64%
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	1 · index 59%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	3 · index 37%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 27%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	3 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · 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 type	IAIRECold-climate score, best model	TKSCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	52.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)T2C-18MODU1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 214594924
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)T3C-27MODU1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 214594927
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)T3C-27MODU1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 214594926
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	None 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 type	IAIREAll-around score, best model	TKSAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	59.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)T2C-18MODU1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214594924
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)T3C-27MODU2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214594927
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 4 models have all five ratings)	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)T5C-48MODU1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214594933
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	52.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)T2C-18MODU3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214594923
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	27.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)TWS-24ODUwith ductless indoor unit TWS-24IDU1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214594921
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)T3C-27MODU3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214594926
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)T5C-48MODU1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214594932

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
Rating	IAIRE	TKS
COP at 5°F	—	beats 87% · 2.01TWS-36ODUNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	—	beats 55% · 71%T3C-27MODUDucted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2	beats 49% · 8.1SHRP-480G00A000-0Also listed as SHRPZ-480G00A000-0Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 95% · 9.7T5C-48MODUDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 65% · 16.0SHRP-480G00A000-0Also listed as SHRPZ-480G00A000-0Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 21.0T3C-27MODUDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 76% · 12.2SHRP-240G00A000-0Also listed as SHRPZ-240G00A000-0Ducted, 2 tons	beats 75% · 12.2T3C-27MODUNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	—	beats 75% · 12,900 Btu/hT2C-18MODUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers