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CIAC heat pump efficiency: 3 outdoor models compared

CIAC has 3 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 4 AHRI-certified combinations. Each model is compared with models of the same size and duct type, so the scores below do not depend on which sizes CIAC makes. CIAC has no QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file, so it is not ranked against other manufacturers.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

ManufacturerData as of updated · sources

Outdoor models
3
AHRI certifications
4
Efficiency index
38%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (1 model)
Meet CEE 2025
33.3%
1 model

How CIAC compares with comparable models

For each rating: the share of same-size, same-type models that a typical model of this manufacturer beats (50% is typical), its rank, and the raw median for context. Raw medians are not comparable across manufacturers that make different sizes.
CIAC against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of CIAC’s own modelsCIAC is strongest on COP at 5°F (its typical model beats 83% of comparable models) and weakest on HSPF2 (11%).
  • CIAC
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CIAC

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of CIAC’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index1 model scored38%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F2 models scored83%Not ranked2.13
Capacity retention at 5°F1 model scored16%Not ranked67%
HSPF23 models scored11%Not ranked8.0
SEER23 models scored22%Not ranked17.0
EER23 models scored14%Not ranked9.5
Heating capacity at 5°F2 models scored17%Not ranked6,700 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of CIAC’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)33.3%1
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)33.3%1
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)0%0
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.
CIAC’s models inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · blue: the middle half of this manufacturer’s models there, median dot, 10th–90th percentile line
  • CIAC (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsmedian

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Share of comparable models beaten, per peer group
Size and duct typeModelsIndexCOP@5°FHSPF2SEER2
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons138%70%29%58%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2—96%2%3%

Every CIAC model in the market

CIAC’s 3 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
CIAC models by size and ratingColoured: CIAC · grey shapes: all 14,508 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • CIAC models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 3 ciac models, each through its representative certification, in the colour of the rating shown. The grey shapes count all 14,508 models, half a ton at a time.
Show the data as a table
COP at 5°F by size and duct type (every model, by rated cooling capacity)
Duct type, sizeModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
Ducted, 0.5 tons8261.641.711.751.852.24
Ducted, 1 ton4071.801.902.052.412.45
Ducted, 1.5 tons9921.751.862.002.172.40
Ducted, 2 tons9991.751.862.002.182.30
Ducted, 2.5 tons1,0401.701.802.002.102.36
Ducted, 3 tons6961.801.902.002.102.42
Ducted, 3.5 tons8641.701.802.002.102.46
Ducted, 4 tons7271.801.862.002.122.40
Ducted, 4.5 tons6901.701.801.902.102.20
Ducted, 5 tons861.892.002.102.102.10
Non-ducted, 0.5 tons1,1861.751.801.902.002.22
Non-ducted, 1 ton1,3431.801.801.992.102.21
Non-ducted, 1.5 tons1,2611.801.802.002.102.31
Non-ducted, 2 tons7611.801.982.002.102.30
Non-ducted, 2.5 tons4031.801.852.002.002.10
Non-ducted, 3 tons4731.901.982.002.032.20
Non-ducted, 3.5 tons2802.002.002.002.052.10
Non-ducted, 4 tons2041.962.002.052.102.11
Non-ducted, 4.5 tons781.901.911.952.012.01
Non-ducted, 5 tons841.992.002.052.202.20

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Top CIAC models

Its top five cold-climate picks and its top five all-around models across sizes (both scores compare each model with models of its own size and duct type, so sizes compare), then, on each single rating, the model that beats the largest share of comparable models.

Cold-climate picks

No CIAC model keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F with all three cold-climate ratings.

All-around best

Top 1 CIAC models on the all-around score across sizes. 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.
# · Outdoor modelSize · typeCap. 5/47COP@5°FHSPF2SEER2EER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.Compared withScoreHeating halfCooling halfCold-climate score
1CPEA12AC1151AOCIACwith ductless indoor unit CPEA12AC1151AH1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted67%2.059.022.010.0CEE 25CEE 261218814656Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons37.838.637.0Not a pick

Best model on each rating

CIAC’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FPCG817A-X036PHB3C2.21Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons96%213927897
Capacity retention at 5°FCPEA12AC1151AO67%Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons16%218814656
HSPF2CPEA12AC1151AO9.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons29%218814656
SEER2CPEA12AC1151AO22.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons56%218814656
EER2CPEA12AC1151AO10.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons16%218814656
Heating capacity at 5°FCPEA12AC1151AO8,200 Btu/hNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons32%218814656

All 3 CIAC models in Explore

CIAC size class by size class: cold-climate and all-around

Its best model on each board in every size and duct type it makes. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there). Cold-climate picks must keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F; the all-around score needs all five ratings and has no such bar.
CIAC: best cold-climate pick and best all-around model per size and duct type, with how many of its models are on each board (top 5 and 5 per class are in the snapshot)
Size and duct typeCold-climate pickCold-climate score, best modelAll-around bestAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)37.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPEA12AC1151AOwith ductless indoor unit CPEA12AC1151AH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218814656
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest CIAC certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 3 most recently certified CIAC outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
CPEA36AC2301AOCIACwith ductless indoor unit CPEA36AC2301AH3 tons34,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted——8.017.0None1218814657
CPEA12AC1151AOCIACwith ductless indoor unit CPEA12AC1151AH1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.0567%9.022.0CEE 25CEE 261218814656
PCG817A-X036PHB3CCIACwith ductless indoor unit PCH817A-X036-HB3C3 tons34,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.21—8.017.0None2216774443

Shares hardware with

Manufacturers whose models are the same equipment under another badge. About OEM families

No shared hardware found for CIAC in this group.

Compare CIAC

Manufacturers of a similar size, side by side.

Compare with any manufacturer

CIAC includes these brand names as listed in AHRI: CIAC. Standards are checked against published thresholds; program rules beyond ratings are not checked.