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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Samsung

  1. 1AR15DXDACWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR15DXDABWKNSamsungAlso listed as AR15DXDABWKX1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 104% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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%
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    92.1score / 100
  2. 2AR70H15CACWXwith ductless indoor unit AR70H15CACWNSamsungAlso listed as AR70H15CAEBX, MWLE015S6S-1P, MWPE015S6S-1P1.5 tons · 15,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 115% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.2 (HSPF2)
    Great
    88.0score / 100
  3. 3AR09DXDACWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR09DXDABWKNSamsungAlso listed as AR09DXDABWKX1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 114% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    86.4score / 100

Star Air Kontrol

  1. 1SAK-06-OCT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-06-OCT1/220VStar Air Kontrol0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 109% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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%
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    94.4score / 100
  2. 2SAK-09-CT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-CT1/220VStar Air Kontrol1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 83% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Great
    80.3score / 100
  3. 3SAK-18-OCT2/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-18-OCT1/220VStar Air Kontrol1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 73% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    12.2 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    74.2score / 100

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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