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Samsung vs Star Air Kontrol: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Samsung model beats 62% and a typical Star Air Kontrol model 56%. Samsung rates higher overall.

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

Samsung

62%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

82 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°FSamsung: Beats 45%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 61%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FSamsung: Beats 66%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 46%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Samsung: Beats 60%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 66%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Samsung: Beats 61%Star Air Kontrol: Beats 62%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Samsung: Beats 71%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

    Samsung
    95%
    Star Air Kontrol
    84%

  • Xcel CC

    Samsung
    90%
    Star Air Kontrol
    71%

  • CEE Advanced

    Samsung
    10%
    Star Air Kontrol
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Samsung
    61%
    Star Air Kontrol
    49%

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.

Showing Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Samsung

  1. 1AM048FCMDCGSamsungAlso listed as AM048HCMDCS4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.02 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.3 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.4 (EER2)
    Great
    66.3score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 76
  2. 2AC048DXSCCGwith ductless indoor unit AC048DN4DCGSamsung4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 53.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.2 (EER2)
    Great
    54.3score / 100Heating 54 · Cooling 55
  3. 3AJ048DXJ5CGSamsung4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 64% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    65% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.81 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    24.1score / 100Heating 5 · Cooling 43

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1SAK-48-QZ/220VStar Air Kontrol4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 60.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.9 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.9 (EER2)
    Good
    52.8score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 46
  2. 2SAK-48-CT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-48-CT1/220VStar Air Kontrol4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 55.4Meets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.11 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.9 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    34.9score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 14

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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