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CIAC vs Custom Comfort heat pumps
Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Custom Comfort scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. CIAC has 21 outdoor models, Custom Comfort has 20 outdoor models. CIAC and Custom Comfort 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.
- CIAC
- Custom Comfort
- Other ranked manufacturers
Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of
| Rating | CIAC | Custom Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency index | 50%median — | 65%median — |
| COP at 5°F | 64% (higher)median 1.96 | 50% (higher)median 1.98 |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | 37%median 63% | 83%median 89% |
| HSPF2 | 54%median 8.8 | 84%median 9.9 |
| SEER2 | 45%median 19.0 | 65%median 18.6 |
| EER2 | 39%median 10.3 | 51%median 11.7 |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | 40%median 18,200 Btu/h | 80%median 29,900 Btu/h |
| Outdoor models | 21 | 20 |
| AHRI certifications | 38 | 69 |
Share of models meeting each standard
| Standard | CIAC | Custom Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 47.6%10 models | 75%15 models |
| CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 42.9%9 models | 75%15 models |
| CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP) | 0%0 models | 5%1 models |
| Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025) | 23.8%5 models | 85%17 models |
| DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge | 0%0 models | 5%1 models |
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | 0%0 models | 100%20 models |
Sizes and duct types offered
Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
- CIAC
- Custom Comfort
- 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 | CIAC | Custom Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 3 · index 72% | 5 · index 63% |
| Ducted, 2 tons | 1 · index 85% | 2 · index 67% |
| Ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 2 · index 38% | 5 · index 63% |
| Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | 2 · index 44% | 6 · index 60% |
| Ducted, 5 tons and up | 2 · index 57% | None |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 7 · index 49% | 5 · index 75% |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 2 · index 50% | 1 · index 84% |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 8 · index 39% | 4 · index 69% |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | 4 · index 39% | 4 · index 54% |
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 | CIACCold-climate score, best model | Custom ComfortCold-climate score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX009-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX009-E3N1H2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 213927684 | 74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ09HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHASD095 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212365415 |
| Ducted, 2 tons | 82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX024-E3N1H1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 213927687 | 79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHASZ24HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHASD242 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212365418 |
| Ducted, 2.5–3 tons | None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify) | 80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHAMZ327HP5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212631691 |
| Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify) | 86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHASZ48CHPwith ducted air handler CCOXHASD486 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 212365420 |
| Ducted, 5 tons and up | None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify) | No models in this size class |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX009-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CK43BX009-C3N1H1 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213927673 | 89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ06HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHAWM065 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212365403 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX024-M3N1H1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213927680 | 86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ24HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHA4C241 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212365412 |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CG43MX036PH3H1Cwith ductless indoor unit CH43MX036-H3H1C1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 212925551 | 83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHAMZ327HP4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212631690 |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | 56.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX048-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX048-M3N1H1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213927682 | 76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ60CHPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHAFC604 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212365428 |
All-around best
| Size and duct type | CIACAll-around score, best model | Custom ComfortAll-around score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 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 | 85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ09HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHASD095 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365415 |
| Ducted, 2 tons | 84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX024-E3N1H1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927687 | 80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHASZ24HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHASD242 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365418 |
| Ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 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 | 81.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHAMZ327HP5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212631691 |
| Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | 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 | 82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHAMZ548HP6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365440 |
| Ducted, 5 tons and up | 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 | No models in this size class |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 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 | 92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ06HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHAWM065 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365403 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX024-M3N1H2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927680 | 84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ24HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHAWM241 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365407 |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 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 | 82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHAMZ436HP4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365436 |
| Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | 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 | 77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHAMZ548HP4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365439 |
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 | CIAC | Custom Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| COP at 5°F | beats 92% · 2.28CM43BX012-H3N2HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 91% · 2.21CCOXHASZ24HPNon-ducted, 2 tons |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | beats 73% · 59%CM43BX060-H3N1HDucted, 5 tons and up | beats 97% · 103%CCOXHAMZ327HPNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons |
| HSPF2 | beats 98% · 11.2CM43BX024-H3N2HDucted, 2 tons | beats 99% · 10.3CCOXHASZ48CHPDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons |
| SEER2 | beats 89% · 20.0CM43BX018-H3N2HDucted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 99% · 20.9CCOXHAMZ548HPDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons |
| EER2 | beats 85% · 12.5CM43BX024-H3N2HDucted, 2 tons | beats 98% · 16.2CCOXHASZ09HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | beats 78% · 13,000 Btu/hCM43BX018-H3N2HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 100% · 57,600 Btu/hCCOXHASZ60CHPDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons |