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ACIQ vs COMFORTSTAR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ACIQ model beats 50% and a typical COMFORTSTAR model 50%. They are level.

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

COMFORTSTAR

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

133 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%COMFORTSTAR: Beats 51%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FACIQ: Beats 43%COMFORTSTAR: Beats 48%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ACIQ: Beats 52%COMFORTSTAR: Beats 54%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ACIQ: Beats 49%COMFORTSTAR: Beats 49%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ACIQ: Beats 52%COMFORTSTAR: Beats 44%

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%
    COMFORTSTAR
    53%

  • Xcel CC

    ACIQ
    46%
    COMFORTSTAR
    47%

  • CEE Advanced

    ACIQ
    2%
    COMFORTSTAR
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ACIQ
    34%
    COMFORTSTAR
    30%

All-around best, ductless 5 tons and up

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

Showing Ductless, 5 tons and up (57,000 Btu/h and up cooling). What size is my system?

ACIQ

  1. 1ES-55Z-M6CACIQ5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 65% 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
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.6score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 59

COMFORTSTAR

  1. 1CMZ3-62-6ZCOMFORTSTAR5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 63% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    60% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    32.5score / 100Heating 28 · Cooling 37

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.

Open the advanced view