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IWAE vs K&A: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical IWAE model beats 52% and a typical K&A model 30%. IWAE rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

IWAE

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

23 models listed

K&A

30%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

23 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°FIWAE: Beats 26%K&A: Beats 31%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FIWAE: Beats 61%K&A: Beats 39%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2IWAE: Beats 35%K&A: Beats 33%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2IWAE: Beats 40%K&A: Beats 27%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2IWAE: Beats 36%K&A: Beats 28%

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

    IWAE
    35%
    K&A
    17%

  • Xcel CC

    IWAE
    35%
    K&A
    17%

  • CEE Advanced

    IWAE
    0%
    K&A
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    IWAE
    26%
    K&A
    0%

All-around best, ductless 2 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

IWAE

  1. 1AEPL**MHV22S2431B1Awith ductless indoor unit AEPL**AWM22E2431B1AIWAE2 tons · 23,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 61.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    64.8score / 100Heating 62 · Cooling 68

K&A

  1. 1MAJESTIC-24K220V-S2with ductless indoor unit MAJESTIC-24K220V-S2K&A2 tons · 23,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 53% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    54% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    13.4score / 100Heating 21 · Cooling 5

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