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CAAIR vs CIAC: heat pump ratings compared

One of these brands has too few models with every rating for an overall score; see each rating below.

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

CAAIR

—

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Not enough rated models

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°FCAAIR: Beats 66%CIAC: Beats 83%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCAAIR: Not ratedCIAC: Beats 16%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CAAIR: Beats 17%CIAC: Beats 11%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CAAIR: Beats 20%CIAC: Beats 22%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CAAIR: Beats 18%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

    CAAIR
    0%
    CIAC
    33%

  • Xcel CC

    CAAIR
    0%
    CIAC
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    CAAIR
    0%
    CIAC
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CAAIR
    0%
    CIAC
    0%

All-around best, ductless 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CAAIR

No ductless, 2.5–3 tons model from CAAIR.

CIAC

None of CIAC’s ductless, 2.5–3 tons models has all five ratings.

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