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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

KANIONco

  1. 1KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEKANIONcoAlso listed as KAHUO-60IR454BHS17AE4.5 tons · 55,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 75% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    64.7score / 100
  2. 2KAHU-48IR454BHS17AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-48IR454BHS17AEKANIONcoAlso listed as KAHUO-48IR454BHS17AE4 tons · 47,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    63.9score / 100
  3. 3KWSMO-42IR454BHS19KANIONco3.5 tons · 41,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    52.2score / 100

MRCOOL

  1. 1MULTI6-48HP230C-OMRCOOL4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    77.9score / 100
  2. 2UHP18048-Owith ducted air handler UAH18048 - OMRCOOL4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    76.7score / 100
  3. 3MDPH18048DMRCOOL4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 110% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.04 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    74.7score / 100

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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