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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%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

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

KANIONco

  1. 1KWSMO-48IR454BHS24RKANIONco4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 48.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    70.2score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 92
  2. 2KWSMO-42IR454BHS19KANIONco3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 31.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.2 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    42.4score / 100Heating 31 · Cooling 54
  3. 3KWSMO-55IR454BHS22.5RKANIONco4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 27.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    40.0score / 100Heating 28 · Cooling 52

THERMAL ZONE

No ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons model from THERMAL ZONE.

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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