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.

Multi MFG and Star Air Kontrol 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, Multi MFG scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

Multi MFG
Star Air Kontrol
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Multi MFG	Star Air Kontrol
Efficiency index	61% (higher)median —	56% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	62% (higher)median 2.10	61% (higher)median 2.10
Capacity retention at 5°F	62% (higher)median 78%	46% (higher)median 72%
HSPF2	75% (higher)median 10.0	66% (higher)median 9.6
SEER2	60%median 19.0	62%median 19.0
EER2	51% (higher)median 11.7	45% (higher)median 11.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	65% (higher)median 26,000 Btu/h	51% (higher)median 19,700 Btu/h
Outdoor models	51	51
AHRI certifications	135	64

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Multi MFG	Star Air Kontrol
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	88.2%45 models	84.3%43 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	86.3%44 models	78.4%40 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	3.9%2 models	2%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	80.4%41 models	70.6%36 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	3.9%2 models	2%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	68.6%35 models	49%25 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 · 10 groups where both have models

Multi MFG
Star Air Kontrol
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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Multi MFG	Star Air Kontrol
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	10 · index 75%	6 · index 72%
Ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 66%	6 · index 64%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	10 · index 68%	7 · index 60%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	12 · index 64%	10 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	3 · index 71%	2 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	15 · index 58%	14 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 53%	3 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 54%	6 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	7 · index 40%	2 · index 43%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 27%	1 · index 27%

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	Multi MFGCold-climate score, best model	Star Air KontrolCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)HHS-18HD-Bwith ducted air handler 18MUC0-HP-B9 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 216760044	93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-06-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-06-DT1/220V5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216369214
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-24HD-Bwith ducted air handler 24HHHP0-C-M-B7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 216760101	77.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-24-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-24-DT1/220V7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 216369218
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	87.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSD-36HD-Bwith ducted air handler 36HMHP0-M-B8 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 217509950	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)S36SCQ2Cwith ducted air handler S36AUPDA4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218806027
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)48MPC6-HH-B12 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 216760148	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48-QZ/220V10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 216369242
Ducted, 5 tons and up	88.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSD-60HD-Bwith ducted air handler 60HMHP0-M-B1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217509952	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH-06HD-Bwith ductless indoor unit 6HWMS0-C-M-B10 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 216760067	94.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-06-OCT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-06-OCT1/220V9 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 216369228
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-24HD-Bwith ductless indoor unit 24CCHP0-C-S-B4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216760082	73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-24-CT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-24-CT1/220V3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216369225
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-36HD-Bwith ductless indoor unit 36FCHP0-C-M-B6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216760116	62.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-36-CT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-36-CT1/220V4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216369226
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)55MPC6-HH-B6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 216760152	60.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48-QZ/220V2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216369243
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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	Multi MFGAll-around score, best model	Star Air KontrolAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH-09HD-Bwith ducted air handler 9HCHP0-C-M-B10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760088	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-06-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-06-DT1/220V6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216369214
Ducted, 2 tons	79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSD-24HD-Bwith ducted air handler 24HMHP0-M-B7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217509949	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-24SQN2-M18Mwith ducted air handler SAK-24SQN1-M18MAlso listed as SAK-36SQN2-M18M7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218612775
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)36MPC5-HH-B10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760145	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)S27TZL2C*6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218374496
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)48MPC6-HE-B12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760133	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48-QZ/220V10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216369242
Ducted, 5 tons and up	81.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSD-60HD-Bwith ducted air handler 60HMHP0-M-B3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217509952	65.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-60-DT2/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-60-DT1/220V2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216369221
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-06HD-Bwith ductless indoor unit 6HWMS0-C-M-B15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760067	85.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-06-OCT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-06-OCT1/220V14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216369228
Non-ducted, 2 tons	74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)24MSZ-M-Bwith ductless indoor unit 24MHW0-HP-B4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760066	66.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-24-CT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-24-CT1/220V3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216369225
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)36MPC5-HH-B6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760144	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)S27TZL2C*6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218426452
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)55MPC6-HH-B7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760150	52.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48-QZ/220V2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216369243
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)60MP6-HE-B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216760135	32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-60-QZ/220V1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216369244

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	Multi MFG	Star Air Kontrol
COP at 5°F	beats 99% · 2.5112MSZ-M-BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 2.47SAK-12-OCT2/220VNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 112%HHS-25HD-BDucted, 2 tons	beats 94% · 100%S48SCQ2CDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 11.048MPC6-HH-BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 13.8SAK-06-DT2/220VDucted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 96% · 20.448MPC6-HE-BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 22.0S27TZL2C*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 96% · 16.0MSH-06HD-BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 14.4SAK-06-DT2/220VDucted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 19,600 Btu/hHHS-18HD-BDucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 50,000 Btu/hS60SCQ2CDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers

Multi MFG vs Star Air Kontrol heat pumps