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AIRSTAR vs CIAC: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIRSTAR model beats 60% and a typical CIAC model 38%. AIRSTAR rates higher overall.

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

AIRSTAR

60%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

3 models listed

CIAC

38%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

3 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°FAIRSTAR: Beats 34%CIAC: Beats 83%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIRSTAR: Beats 53%CIAC: Beats 16%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIRSTAR: Beats 58%CIAC: Beats 11%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIRSTAR: Beats 73%CIAC: Beats 22%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIRSTAR: Beats 73%CIAC: Beats 14%

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

    AIRSTAR
    100%
    CIAC
    33%

  • Xcel CC

    AIRSTAR
    100%
    CIAC
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIRSTAR
    0%
    CIAC
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIRSTAR
    0%
    CIAC
    0%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIRSTAR

  1. 1TCL18C25MAIRSTAR1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    72.2score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 76
  2. 2TSH12HDI1NAN0T23with ductless indoor unit TSH12IDI1NAN0T23AIRSTARAlso listed as TCL12C25S1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 37.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    54.3score / 100Heating 38 · Cooling 71

CIAC

  1. 1CPEA12AC1151AOwith ductless indoor unit CPEA12AC1151AHCIAC1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    37.8score / 100Heating 39 · 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