Bluefin vs CIAC heat pumps
Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Bluefin scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Bluefin has 3 outdoor models, CIAC has 3 outdoor models. Bluefin and CIAC have no QMID on file and are not ranked.
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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.
- Bluefin
- CIAC
- Other ranked manufacturers
Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of
| Rating | Bluefin | CIAC |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency index | 53% (higher)median — | 38% (higher)median — |
| COP at 5°F | 45%median 1.99 | 83%median 2.13 |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | 26% (higher)median 70% | 16% (higher)median 67% |
| HSPF2 | 41% (higher)median 9.4 | 11% (higher)median 8.0 |
| SEER2 | 73% (higher)median 22.3 | 22% (higher)median 17.0 |
| EER2 | 62% (higher)median 12.2 | 14% (higher)median 9.5 |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | 34% (higher)median 19,000 Btu/h | 17% (higher)median 6,700 Btu/h |
| Outdoor models | 3 | 3 |
| AHRI certifications | 5 | 4 |
Share of models meeting each standard
| Standard | Bluefin | CIAC |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 100%3 models | 33.3%1 models |
| CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 100%3 models | 33.3%1 models |
| CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP) | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025) | 66.7%2 models | 0%0 models |
| DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | 66.7%2 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.
- 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
| Size and duct type | Bluefin | CIAC |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, 2 tons | 1 · index 65% | None |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 1 · index 49% | 1 · index 38% |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 1 · index 57% | None |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 1 · index 39% | 2 · index — |
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
| Size and duct type | BluefinCold-climate score, best model | CIACCold-climate score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, 2 tons | 48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)BFMS27MZPL-02O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216719248 | No models in this size class |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 39.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)BFMS09BA-02Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS09BA-02I1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216719246 | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 41.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)BFMS27MZPL-02O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216719247 | No models in this size class |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) | None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify) |
All-around best
| Size and duct type | BluefinAll-around score, best model | CIACAll-around score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, 2 tons | 64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)BFMS27MZPL-02O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216719248 | No models in this size class |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 49.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BFMS09BA-02Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS09BA-02I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216719246 | 37.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPEA12AC1151AOwith ductless indoor unit CPEA12AC1151AH1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218814656 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)BFMS27MZPL-02O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216719247 | No models in this size class |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 39.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)BFMS30BA-02Owith ductless indoor unit BFMS30BA-02I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216719244 | None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings) |
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.
| Rating | Bluefin | CIAC |
|---|---|---|
| COP at 5°F | beats 56% · 1.99BFMS09BA-02ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 96% · 2.21PCG817A-X036PHB3CNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | beats 34% · 71%BFMS27MZPL-02ODucted, 2 tons | beats 16% · 67%CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| HSPF2 | beats 54% · 9.0BFMS27MZPL-02ODucted, 2 tons | beats 29% · 9.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| SEER2 | beats 94% · 21.0BFMS27MZPL-02ODucted, 2 tons | beats 56% · 22.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| EER2 | beats 62% · 12.6BFMS09BA-02ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 16% · 10.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | beats 56% · 19,000 Btu/hBFMS27MZPL-02ONon-ducted, 2 tons | beats 32% · 8,200 Btu/hCPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |