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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 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 Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

ACIQ

  1. 1ACIQ-18-HPDwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WMBACIQ1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.6score / 100
  2. 2ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18CD-HH-MCACIQ1.5 tons · 17,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.3score / 100
  3. 3ACIQ-09ZS-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MCACIQ1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 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
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.3score / 100

COMFORTSTAR

  1. 1CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)COMFORTSTAR0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 98% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.41 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    13.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    93.5score / 100
  2. 2CPH3-18CD(O)with ducted air handler CWM3-18-SG3COMFORTSTAR1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 103% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.7score / 100
  3. 3CPP3-09CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-09CD(I)COMFORTSTAR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 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
    2.32 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.3score / 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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