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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, ductless 2 tons

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

KANIONco

  1. 1KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5RKANIONco2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    93% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    56.1score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 54
  2. 2KWSM-24IR454BHS23Rwith ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS23RKANIONco2 tons · 23,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 37.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    48.8score / 100Heating 38 · Cooling 60
  3. 3KWSM-24IR454BHS21Pwith ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS21PKANIONco2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 68% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    68% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    40.4score / 100Heating 46 · Cooling 35

MRCOOL

  1. 1O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O1with ductless indoor unit O-18-HP-WMAH-233C-OMRCOOL2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    76.8score / 100Heating 89 · Cooling 65
  2. 2O-HH-24-HP-C-230C-Owith ductless indoor unit O-24-HP-WMAH-230C-OMRCOOL2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.4Meets 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
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    76.4score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 65
  3. 3AEPL**MHV22S2431B1Awith ductless indoor unit AEPL**AWM22E2431B1AMRCOOL2 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

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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