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Multi MFG vs Star Air Kontrol: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Multi MFG model beats 61% and a typical Star Air Kontrol model 56%. Multi MFG rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Multi MFG

61%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

51 models listed

Star Air Kontrol

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

51 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°FMulti MFG: Beats 62%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 61%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FMulti MFG: Beats 62%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 46%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Multi MFG: Beats 75%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 66%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Multi MFG: Beats 60%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 62%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Multi MFG: Beats 51%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 45%

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

    Multi MFG
    88%
    Star Air Kontrol
    84%
  • Xcel CC

    Multi MFG
    80%
    Star Air Kontrol
    71%
  • CEE Advanced

    Multi MFG
    4%
    Star Air Kontrol
    2%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Multi MFG
    69%
    Star Air Kontrol
    49%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Multi MFG

  1. 136MPC5-HH-BMulti MFG3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2MSD-36HD-Bwith ducted air handler 36HMHP0-M-BMulti MFG2.5 tons · 32,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 87.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.15 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    82.3score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 77
  3. 3MSH-36HD-Bwith ducted air handler 36HHHP0-C-M-BMulti MFG3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.7 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.8score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 72

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1S27TZL2C*Star Air Kontrol2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel 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
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.9score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 90
  2. 2SAK-36-QZ/220VStar Air Kontrol3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 60.6Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    69.5score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 79
  3. 3SAK-36-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-36-DT1/220VStar Air Kontrol3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 64% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    64% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.7 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.0score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 47

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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