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KANIONco vs THERMAL ZONE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical KANIONco model beats 47% and a typical THERMAL ZONE model 30%. KANIONco 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

THERMAL ZONE

30%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

101 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%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FKANIONco: Beats 45%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 26%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2KANIONco: Beats 50%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 23%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2KANIONco: Beats 58%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 24%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2KANIONco: Beats 41%THERMAL ZONE: Beats 31%

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%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

  • Xcel CC

    KANIONco
    63%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

  • CEE Advanced

    KANIONco
    0%
    THERMAL ZONE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    KANIONco
    36%
    THERMAL ZONE
    8%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 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 Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

KANIONco

  1. 1KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEKANIONcoAlso listed as KAHUO-36IR454BHS18AE3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    64.9score / 100
  2. 2KAHU-36IR454BHS19Pwith ducted air handler KAHU-36IR454BHS19PKANIONcoAlso listed as KAHU-36IR454BHS18P3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 76% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    55.4score / 100
  3. 3KWSMO-27IR454BHS20KANIONco2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    49.8score / 100

THERMAL ZONE

  1. 1TZP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AEW37J+TDRTHERMAL ZONE2.5 tons · 31,600 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 102% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    102% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.66 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    72.6score / 100
  2. 2TZID36H520ZCSwith ducted air handler TZID36H520ZAMTHERMAL ZONE3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 75% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Good
    59.8score / 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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