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ACIQ vs COMFORTSTAR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ACIQ and COMFORTSTAR split the 6 ratings 3–3. ACIQ has 161 outdoor models, COMFORTSTAR has 117 outdoor models. ACIQ and COMFORTSTAR have no QMID on file and are not ranked. They share hardware: 49 equipment families appear under both names.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
ACIQ and COMFORTSTAR on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, ACIQ and COMFORTSTAR split the 6 ratings 3–3.
  • ACIQ
  • COMFORTSTAR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
ACIQCOMFORTS…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingACIQCOMFORTSTAR
Efficiency index47%median —48%median —
COP at 5°F48% (higher)median 1.9446% (higher)median 1.88
Capacity retention at 5°F43%median 59%44%median 63%
HSPF244%median 8.149%median 8.7
SEER245% (higher)median 16.044% (higher)median 17.0
EER250% (higher)median 11.144% (higher)median 11.0
Heating capacity at 5°F44%median 19,100 Btu/h46%median 17,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models161117
AHRI certifications6,584302

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardACIQCOMFORTSTAR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)41%66 models36.8%43 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)34.2%55 models35.9%42 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.2%2 models0.9%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)31.7%51 models23.9%28 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.2%2 models0.9%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate19.3%31 models22.2%26 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 9 groups where both have models
  • ACIQ
  • COMFORTSTAR
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeACIQCOMFORTSTAR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons14 · index 50%12 · index 62%
Ducted, 2 tons23 · index 45%10 · index 48%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons40 · index 43%24 · index 44%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons52 · index 46%22 · index 47%
Ducted, 5 tons and up5 · index 48%5 · index 42%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons22 · index 52%33 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2 tons6 · index 52%8 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons14 · index 51%20 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons7 · index 48%8 · index 54%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeACIQCold-climate score, best modelCOMFORTSTARCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM9 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 21343324874.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF09CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA-09C8 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 207658937
Ducted, 2 tons79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB9 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 20782554180.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CZP24CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA-24B4 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 207658933
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB14 of 41 models qualify · AHRI 21085732179.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF36CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA-36C6 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 207658941
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB11 of 52 models qualify · AHRI 21085732286.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CXH048CD(O)-DUwith ducted air handler CPA-48DUBAlso listed as CHF48CD(O)6 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 205150441
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 5 models qualify)70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCRT60-1-INV1 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212601832
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC16 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 21085731486.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CZP09CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CHF09CD(I)11 of 33 models qualify · AHRI 207658922
Non-ducted, 2 tons85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 20782554486.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit TIP-242 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 207658952
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B6 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 20782558279.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH-36-4SH3 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 207658982
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-60FM-HH-MB5 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21085732676.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH-48-5SH4 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 207658984

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. 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.
Size and duct typeACIQAll-around score, best modelCOMFORTSTARAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782553885.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF09CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA-09C10 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207658937
Ducted, 2 tons80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB23 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782554183.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CZP24CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA-24B6 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207658933
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-27Z-M3B40 of 40 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21085738775.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ-27-3Z16 of 24 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207658968
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B50 of 53 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782558682.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH-48-5SH12 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207658985
Ducted, 5 tons and up54.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)H4H5S60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FJMA4*60L*D4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21306907775.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCRT60-1-INV5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212601832
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21085731488.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CZP09CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CHF09CD(I)30 of 33 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207658922
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782553484.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CHF24CD(I)7 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207658929
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B11 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782558282.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH-36-4SH17 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207658982
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20782558577.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH-48-5SH5 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207658984

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingACIQCOMFORTSTAR
COP at 5°Fbeats 93% · 2.57R4H5S30*K*AAA*Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 97% · 2.39CZP12CD(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 100% · 140%HVH837GKA2*Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 95% · 103%CHF36CD(O)Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 10.3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 10.3CXH048CD(O)-DUAlso listed as CHF48CD(O)Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 24.6ES-27Z-M3BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 24.6CMZ-27-3ZNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 99% · 16.6SC-09ZPL-HP230Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 16.2CHF09CD(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 99% · 56,500 Btu/hACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 41,000 Btu/hCHF36CD(O)Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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