Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

ACIQ vs COMFORTSTAR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, COMFORTSTAR scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. ACIQ has 175 outdoor models, COMFORTSTAR has 133 outdoor models. ACIQ and COMFORTSTAR have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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

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, COMFORTSTAR scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings.
  • ACIQ
  • COMFORTSTAR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
ACIQCOMFORTS…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingACIQCOMFORTSTAR
Efficiency index50%median —50%median —
COP at 5°F55% (higher)median 2.0051% (higher)median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F43%median 69%48%median 71%
HSPF252%median 8.554%median 8.7
SEER249%median 17.049%median 17.1
EER252% (higher)median 11.244% (higher)median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F46%median 19,600 Btu/h52%median 20,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models175133
AHRI certifications18,053461

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardACIQCOMFORTSTAR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)55.4%97 models53.4%71 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)53.1%93 models53.4%71 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.7%3 models1.5%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)46.3%81 models46.6%62 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.7%3 models1.5%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate33.7%59 models30.1%40 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 · 10 groups where both have models
  • ACIQ
  • COMFORTSTAR
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 tons16 · index 64%17 · index 67%
Ducted, 2 tons24 · index 47%17 · index 48%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons36 · index 49%31 · index 49%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons57 · index 48%36 · index 49%
Ducted, 5 tons and up7 · index 65%2 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons30 · index 49%25 · index 56%
Non-ducted, 2 tons7 · index 50%7 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons13 · index 47%18 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons5 · index 52%11 · index 39%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 59%1 · index 27%

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 tons86.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-18-HPDwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WMB11 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 21698078593.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)13 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 217138375
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MC13 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 21603234777.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler AHU3-24M12 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 217138361
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MC16 of 36 models qualify · AHRI 21603234883.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-36DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-36DU(I)12 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 217138387
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-60-HP32with ducted air handler ACIQ-60-AH3226 of 53 models qualify · AHRI 21538724182.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-48-6SH16 of 36 models qualify · AHRI 216720919
Ducted, 5 tons and up82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)B5H3V60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON5 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 218628756None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD20 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 21603233394.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit T1W3-06CD(I)17 of 25 models qualify · AHRI 217138383
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24CC-HH-MC4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21603234189.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit TIP3-24CD(I)4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217138374
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-36FM-HH-MD8 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 21603235589.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-36DU(O)with ductless indoor unit FPA3-36DU(I)14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 217138384
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21603237269.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-60-6SH9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216720923
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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 tons86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Cwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MC16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603234495.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CHF3-06CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3-06CD(I)15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138375
Ducted, 2 tons82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V24*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B36L0C*+WALLCON22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21862875178.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-24CD(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-24CD(I)15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720902
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H5H3V36*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON37 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21663547883.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-36-5SH27 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720916
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-48Z-M6C53 of 53 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603238685.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ3-55-6Z32 of 36 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720934
Ducted, 5 tons and up89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)B5H3V60*K*AAA*with ducted air handler FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21862875665.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-60DU(O)with ducted air handler CPA3H-60DU(I)2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720905
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MD30 of 30 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603233393.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CHF3-06CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-06CD(I)22 of 25 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217138368
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZS-HP230Cwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MD7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21847156074.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPP3-24CD(O)with ductless indoor unit CPP3-24CD(I)6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720887
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603236766.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-36-5SH17 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720915
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M6C5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603237062.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CVH3-60-6SH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720921
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ES-55Z-M6C1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603238832.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CMZ3-62-6Z1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216720936

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 99% · 2.93ACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 2.47CPP3-12CD(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 98% · 126%ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 115%CHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 14.8ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 11.0CVH3-48-6SHDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 100% · 23.0H5H3V48*K*AAA*Also listed as B5H3V48*K*AAADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 97% · 22.0C32-MZ-2Ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 99% · 18.0ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230CNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 14.4CHF3-06CD(O)Ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 19,600 Btu/hACIQ-18-HPDDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 42,500 Btu/hCHH32-36Ducted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers