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ACIQ vs BlueRidge: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ACIQ model beats 50% and a typical BlueRidge model 56%. BlueRidge rates higher overall.

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

ACIQ

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

175 models listed

BlueRidge

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

192 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°FACIQ: Beats 55%BlueRidge: Beats 57%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FACIQ: Beats 43%BlueRidge: Beats 55%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ACIQ: Beats 52%BlueRidge: Beats 60%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ACIQ: Beats 49%BlueRidge: Beats 58%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ACIQ: Beats 52%BlueRidge: Beats 54%

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

    ACIQ
    55%
    BlueRidge
    76%
  • Xcel CC

    ACIQ
    46%
    BlueRidge
    68%
  • CEE Advanced

    ACIQ
    2%
    BlueRidge
    4%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ACIQ
    34%
    BlueRidge
    65%

All-around best, ductless 2 tons

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

ACIQ

  1. 1ACIQ-24ZS-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MDACIQ2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 84.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.54 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.8score / 100Heating 85 · Cooling 89
  2. 2ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MDACIQ2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.4Meets 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
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    76.4score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 65
  3. 3AC-24Z-E-M3ACIQ2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 67.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Good
    71.8score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 76

BlueRidge

  1. 1BMS2423YCwith ductless indoor unit BMC24HHYWBlueRidgeAlso listed as BXS3A24SC02 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 84.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.54 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.8score / 100Heating 85 · Cooling 89
  2. 2BXS6Z24UC0with ductless indoor unit BXS6Z24WM0BlueRidge2 tons · 22,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 60.1Meets 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
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    27.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    78.1score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 96
  3. 3BMS2421HHYCwith ductless indoor unit BMC24HHYWBlueRidgeAlso listed as BXS5A24UC02 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.4Meets 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
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    76.4score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 65

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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