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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, ductless up to 1.5 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.

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

KANIONco

  1. 1KWSMO-18IR454BHS27RKANIONco1.5 tons · 20,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 99% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    70.9score / 100
  2. 2KWSMO-18IR454BHS20KANIONco1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    68.6score / 100
  3. 3KWSM-09IR454BHS25Rwith ductless indoor unit KWSM-09IR454BHS25RKANIONco1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 106% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    63.6score / 100

MRCOOL

  1. 1DIYHH-12-HP-C-230D25-Owith ductless indoor unit DIYCASSETTE12HP-230D25-OMRCOOL1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.11 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    80.4score / 100
  2. 2DIYHH-18-HP-C-230D25-Owith ductless indoor unit DIY-18-HP-WMAH-230D25-OMRCOOL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 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)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.99 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    76.4score / 100
  3. 3O-HH-12-HP-C-230C-Owith ductless indoor unit CASSETTE12HP-230C-OMRCOOLAlso listed as O-ES-12-HP-C-230C-O11 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 96% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.99 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    76.1score / 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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