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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%

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

Bluefin

  1. 1BFMS09PL-01Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS09PL-01IBluefin1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.22 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.0score / 100
  2. 2BFMS12PL-01Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS12PL-01IBluefin1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 74% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.8score / 100
  3. 3BFMS18PL-01Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS18PL-01IBluefin1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.35 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    75.3score / 100

CIAC

  1. 1CM43BX009-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CK43BX009-C3N1HCIAC1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 80% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    63.3score / 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.

Open the advanced view