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KANIONco vs MRCOOL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical KANIONco model beats 47% and a typical MRCOOL model 53%. MRCOOL rates higher overall.

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

KANIONco

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

56 models listed

MRCOOL

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

92 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°FKANIONco: Beats 37%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FKANIONco: Beats 45%MRCOOL: Beats 50%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2KANIONco: Beats 50%MRCOOL: Beats 56%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2KANIONco: Beats 58%MRCOOL: Beats 54%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2KANIONco: Beats 41%MRCOOL: Beats 49%

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

    KANIONco
    66%
    MRCOOL
    67%

  • Xcel CC

    KANIONco
    63%
    MRCOOL
    58%

  • CEE Advanced

    KANIONco
    0%
    MRCOOL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    KANIONco
    36%
    MRCOOL
    57%

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). What size is my system?

KANIONco

  1. 1KWSMO-27IR454BHS20KANIONco2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.9score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 90
  2. 2KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEKANIONcoAlso listed as KAHUO-36IR454BHS18AE3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.6 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.4score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 70
  3. 3KWSMO-36IR454BHS19KANIONco3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    63.6score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 79

MRCOOL

  1. 1UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - OMRCOOL2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.2 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    73.4score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 70
  2. 2UHP18036-Owith ducted air handler UAH18036 - OMRCOOL3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    72.7score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 75
  3. 3MULTI5-36HP230C-OMRCOOL3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 60.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    69.5score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 79

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.

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