Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.

KANIONco and THERMAL ZONE on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, KANIONco scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

KANIONco
THERMAL ZONE
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	KANIONco	THERMAL ZONE
Efficiency index	47% (higher)median —	30% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	37%median 1.83	40%median 1.86
Capacity retention at 5°F	45% (higher)median 72%	26% (higher)median 46%
HSPF2	50% (higher)median 9.5	23% (higher)median 7.2
SEER2	58% (higher)median 19.0	24% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	41% (higher)median 11.1	31% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	49% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h	29% (higher)median 18,550 Btu/h
Outdoor models	56	101
AHRI certifications	60	1,006

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	KANIONco	THERMAL ZONE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	66.1%37 models	7.9%8 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	66.1%37 models	5.9%6 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	62.5%35 models	7.9%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	35.7%20 models	7.9%8 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 4 groups where both have models

KANIONco
THERMAL ZONE
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	KANIONco	THERMAL ZONE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	7 · index 23%	5 · index 34%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 55%	11 · index 33%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 57%	30 · index 26%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	10 · index 49%	38 · index 31%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	17 · index 28%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	19 · index 49%	None
Non-ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 40%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 51%	None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 51%	None

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	KANIONcoCold-climate score, best model	THERMAL ZONECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS201 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217048780	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler PE(S,T)23J1 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217200657
Ducted, 2 tons	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEAlso listed as KAHUO-24IR454BHS20AE3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218043597	75.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZP15AY24AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJ4 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 217200648
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	64.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEAlso listed as KAHUO-36IR454BHS18AE6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 218043598	72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AEW37J+TDR2 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 217200653
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEAlso listed as KAHUO-60IR454BHS17AE10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218043600	65.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TZID48H520ZCSwith indoor coil TZID60H520ZACD and furnace MGV96U120D5C3 of 38 models qualify · AHRI 218782171
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 17 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS27R15 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 218396955	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	58.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218399921	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5R4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218396956	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	48.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-48IR454BHS24R3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396958	No models in this size class

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	KANIONcoAll-around score, best model	THERMAL ZONEAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-18IR454BHS207 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048780	57.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY18AJ2Nwith ducted air handler L(E,F)W30BJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217200644
Ducted, 2 tons	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEAlso listed as KAHUO-24IR454BHS20AE4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218043597	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZID36H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID24H520ZA12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217495954
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-27IR454BHS207 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048781	58.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AEW37J+TDR16 of 29 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217200653
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-42IR454BHS1910 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048783	64.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZID60H520ZCwith ducted air handler TZID48H520ZA19 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217589556
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	56.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TZP15AY60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler TZHDYTST6024*NAN9 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215415492
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS27R19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396955	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218399921	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5R6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396956	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-48IR454BHS24R3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396958	No models in this size class

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	KANIONco	THERMAL ZONE
COP at 5°F	beats 81% · 2.03KWSM-36IR454BHS19PNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 2.73TZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 92% · 106%KWSM-09IR454BHS25RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 130%TZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 80% · 10.5KWSMO-27IR454BHS20Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 74% · 9.7TZID24H520ZCSDucted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 26.5KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5RNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 87% · 20.0TZID36H520ZCDucted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 97% · 14.0KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5RNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 93% · 13.3TZID36H520ZCDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 19,800 Btu/hKWSMO-18IR454BHS27RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 21,000 Btu/hTZP15AY18AJ2NDucted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers

KANIONco vs THERMAL ZONE heat pumps