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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Samsung

  1. 1AR09DXDACWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR09DXDABWKNSamsungAlso listed as AR09DXDABWKX1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 86.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    114% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.15 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    16.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    89.6score / 100Heating 86 · Cooling 93
  2. 2AR15DXDACWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR15DXDABWKNSamsungAlso listed as AR15DXDABWKX1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 92.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    104% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.50 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    14.6 (EER2)
    Great
    85.9score / 100Heating 92 · Cooling 80
  3. 3AR70H15CACWXwith ductless indoor unit AR70H15CACWNSamsungAlso listed as AR70H15CAEBX, MWLE015S6S-1P, MWPE015S6S-1P1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 88.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    115% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    14.6 (EER2)
    Great
    83.8score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 80

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1SAK-06-OCT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-06-OCT1/220VStar Air Kontrol0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 94.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    109% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    12.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.0score / 100Heating 94 · Cooling 76
  2. 2SAK-09-CT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-CT1/220VStar Air Kontrol1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 80.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.17 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.6 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    14.3 (EER2)
    Great
    75.6score / 100Heating 80 · Cooling 71
  3. 3SAK-09-OCT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-OCT1/220VStar Air Kontrol1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 71.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.17 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    22.1 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    14.4 (EER2)
    Great
    72.9score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 75

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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