Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

CIAC vs Custom Comfort: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CIAC model beats 50% and a typical Custom Comfort model 65%. Custom Comfort rates higher overall.

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

CIAC

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

21 models listed

Custom Comfort

65%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

20 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°FCIAC: Beats 64%Custom Comfort: Beats 50%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCIAC: Beats 37%Custom Comfort: Beats 83%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CIAC: Beats 54%Custom Comfort: Beats 84%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CIAC: Beats 45%Custom Comfort: Beats 65%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CIAC: Beats 39%Custom Comfort: Beats 51%

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

    CIAC
    48%
    Custom Comfort
    75%

  • Xcel CC

    CIAC
    24%
    Custom Comfort
    85%

  • CEE Advanced

    CIAC
    0%
    Custom Comfort
    5%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CIAC
    0%
    Custom Comfort
    100%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 5 tons and up

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 Ducted, 5 tons and up (57,000 Btu/h and up cooling). What size is my system?

CIAC

None of CIAC’s ducted, 5 tons and up models qualifies.

Custom Comfort

No ducted, 5 tons and up model from Custom Comfort.

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