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.

Bluefin and CIAC 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, Bluefin scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

Bluefin
CIAC
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Bluefin	CIAC
Efficiency index	73% (higher)median —	50% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	67% (higher)median 1.99	64% (higher)median 1.96
Capacity retention at 5°F	65% (higher)median 86%	37% (higher)median 63%
HSPF2	76% (higher)median 10.5	54% (higher)median 8.8
SEER2	78% (higher)median 23.1	45% (higher)median 19.0
EER2	77% (higher)median 13.0	39% (higher)median 10.3
Heating capacity at 5°F	57% (higher)median 11,300 Btu/h	40% (higher)median 18,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	9	21
AHRI certifications	9	38

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Bluefin	CIAC
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%9 models	47.6%10 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%9 models	42.9%9 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	100%9 models	23.8%5 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	88.9%8 models	0%0 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 · 2 groups where both have models

Bluefin
CIAC
All models of the group

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Bluefin	CIAC
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	3 · index 72%
Ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 85%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	2 · index 38%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	2 · index 44%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	2 · index 57%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	7 · index 75%	7 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 69%	2 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	8 · index 39%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	4 · index 39%

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 type	BluefinCold-climate score, best model	CIACCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX009-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX009-E3N1H2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 213927684
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX024-E3N1H1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213927687
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BFMS09PL-01Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS09PL-01I7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213769908	63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX009-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CK43BX009-C3N1H1 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213927673
Non-ducted, 2 tons	61.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)BFMS24PR-01Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS24PL-01I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213769902	74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX024-M3N1H1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213927680
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CG43MX036PH3H1Cwith ductless indoor unit CH43MX036-H3H1C1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 212925551
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	56.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX048-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX048-M3N1H1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213927682

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 type	BluefinAll-around score, best model	CIACAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX018-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX018-E3N1H3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927686
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX024-E3N1H1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927687
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	37.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX036-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX036-E3N1H1 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927688
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	43.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX048-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX048-E3N1H1 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927689
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX060-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX060-E3N1H2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927690
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BFMS09PL-01Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS09PL-01I7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213769908	71.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX012-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CK43BX012-C3N1H7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927674
Non-ducted, 2 tons	70.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)BFMS24PR-01Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS24PL-01I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213769902	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX024-M3N1H2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927680
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CG43WX030PH3N1Hwith ductless indoor unit CH43WX030-H3N1H6 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209948220
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	40.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX048-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX048-M3N1H2 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927682

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
Rating	Bluefin	CIAC
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.22BFMS24PL-01ONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 92% · 2.28CM43BX012-H3N2HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 76% · 96%BFMS18PR-01ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 73% · 59%CM43BX060-H3N1HDucted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2	beats 94% · 11.6BFMS09PL-01ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 11.2CM43BX024-H3N2HDucted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 92% · 26.4BFMS09PR-01ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 89% · 20.0CM43BX018-H3N2HDucted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 95% · 15.8BFMS09PR-01ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 85% · 12.5CM43BX024-H3N2HDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 90% · 17,200 Btu/hBFMS18PR-01ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 78% · 13,000 Btu/hCM43BX018-H3N2HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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Bluefin vs CIAC heat pumps