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Bluefin vs CIAC: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Bluefin model beats 73% and a typical CIAC model 50%. Bluefin rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

Bluefin

73%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

9 models listed

CIAC

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

21 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°FBluefin: Beats 67%CIAC: Beats 64%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBluefin: Beats 65%CIAC: Beats 37%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Bluefin: Beats 76%CIAC: Beats 54%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Bluefin: Beats 78%CIAC: Beats 45%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Bluefin: Beats 77%CIAC: Beats 39%

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

    Bluefin
    100%
    CIAC
    48%

  • Xcel CC

    Bluefin
    100%
    CIAC
    24%

  • CEE Advanced

    Bluefin
    0%
    CIAC
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Bluefin
    89%
    CIAC
    0%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

Bluefin

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from Bluefin.

CIAC

  1. 1CM43BX036-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX036-E3N1HCIAC3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 55% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    55% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    15.8 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    8.8 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    37.6score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 28

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