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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 and Custom Comfort 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, Custom Comfort scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • CIAC
  • Custom Comfort
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CIACCustom C…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCIACCustom Comfort
Efficiency index50%median —65%median —
COP at 5°F64% (higher)median 1.9650% (higher)median 1.98
Capacity retention at 5°F37%median 63%83%median 89%
HSPF254%median 8.884%median 9.9
SEER245%median 19.065%median 18.6
EER239%median 10.351%median 11.7
Heating capacity at 5°F40%median 18,200 Btu/h80%median 29,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models2120
AHRI certifications3869

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCIACCustom Comfort
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)47.6%10 models75%15 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)42.9%9 models75%15 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models5%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)23.8%5 models85%17 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models5%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models100%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.
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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • CIAC
  • Custom Comfort
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeCIACCustom Comfort
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons3 · index 72%5 · index 63%
Ducted, 2 tons1 · index 85%2 · index 67%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 38%5 · index 63%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 44%6 · index 60%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index 57%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons7 · index 49%5 · index 75%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 50%1 · index 84%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons8 · index 39%4 · index 69%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · 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

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 typeCIACCold-climate score, best modelCustom ComfortCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX009-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX009-E3N1H2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21392768474.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ09HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHASD095 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212365415
Ducted, 2 tons82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX024-E3N1H1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21392768779.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHASZ24HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHASD242 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212365418
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone 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 tonsNone 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 upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX009-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CK43BX009-C3N1H1 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21392767389.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ06HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHAWM065 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212365403
Non-ducted, 2 tons74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX024-M3N1H1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21392768086.1(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 tons44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CG43MX036PH3H1Cwith ductless indoor unit CH43MX036-H3H1C1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21292555183.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHAMZ327HP4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212631690
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons56.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX048-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX048-M3N1H1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21392768276.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHASZ60CHPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHAFC604 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212365428

All-around best

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 typeCIACAll-around score, best modelCustom ComfortAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX018-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX018-E3N1H3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392768685.2(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 tons84.9(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 21392768780.1(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 tons37.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX036-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX036-E3N1H1 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392768881.9(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 tons43.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX048-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX048-E3N1H1 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392768982.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHAMZ548HP6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365440
Ducted, 5 tons and up58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX060-H3N2Hwith ducted air handler CC43BX060-E3N1H2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927690No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons71.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX012-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CK43BX012-C3N1H7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392767492.0(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 tons72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX024-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX024-M3N1H2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392768084.3(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 tons53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CG43WX030PH3N1Hwith ductless indoor unit CH43WX030-H3N1H6 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20994822082.8(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 tons40.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CM43BX048-H3N2Hwith ductless indoor unit CF43BX048-M3N1H2 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392768277.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHAMZ548HP4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212365439

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
RatingCIACCustom Comfort
COP at 5°Fbeats 92% · 2.28CM43BX012-H3N2HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 2.21CCOXHASZ24HPNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 73% · 59%CM43BX060-H3N1HDucted, 5 tons and upbeats 97% · 103%CCOXHAMZ327HPNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 98% · 11.2CM43BX024-H3N2HDucted, 2 tonsbeats 99% · 10.3CCOXHASZ48CHPDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 89% · 20.0CM43BX018-H3N2HDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 20.9CCOXHAMZ548HPDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 85% · 12.5CM43BX024-H3N2HDucted, 2 tonsbeats 98% · 16.2CCOXHASZ09HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 78% · 13,000 Btu/hCM43BX018-H3N2HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 57,600 Btu/hCCOXHASZ60CHPDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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