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 3 outdoor models, Custom Comfort has 28 outdoor models. CIAC and Custom Comfort have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · 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

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	CIAC	Custom Comfort
Efficiency index	38%median —	71%median —
COP at 5°F	83% (higher)median 2.13	64% (higher)median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	16%median 67%	71%median 91%
HSPF2	11%median 8.0	84%median 10.6
SEER2	22%median 17.0	69%median 20.8
EER2	14%median 9.5	67%median 12.3
Heating capacity at 5°F	17%median 6,700 Btu/h	72%median 22,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models	3	28
AHRI certifications	4	103

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	CIAC	Custom Comfort
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	33.3%1 models	96.4%27 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	33.3%1 models	96.4%27 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	3.6%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	100%28 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	3.6%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	100%28 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 · 2 groups where both have models

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 Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	CIAC	Custom Comfort
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	10 · index 78%
Ducted, 2 tons	None	4 · index 71%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	7 · index 72%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	6 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 38%	10 · index 75%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index —	6 · index 65%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	2 · index 82%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	4 · index 51%

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 type	CIACCold-climate score, best model	Custom ComfortCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD0610 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 215745983
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ24HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD244 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215745987
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ36CHPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD367 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 215745999
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746015
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBWM0610 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 215745973
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ24HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHB4C242 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215745982
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ36CHPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBFC366 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746002
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215746016

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 type	CIACAll-around score, best model	Custom ComfortAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD0610 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215745983
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOESBSZ24HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD244 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218425832
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ536HP7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746012
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746015
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	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	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBWM0610 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215745973
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOESBSZ24HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBWM242 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217968402
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ536HP6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746011
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746014

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
Rating	CIAC	Custom Comfort
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.21PCG817A-X036PHB3CNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 2.51CCOESBSZ12HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 16% · 67%CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 126%CCOXHBSZ09HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 29% · 9.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 14.8CCOXHBSZ06HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 56% · 22.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 25.0CCOESBMZ427HPNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 16% · 10.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 18.0CCOXHBSZ06HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 32% · 8,200 Btu/hCPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 39,500 Btu/hCCOXHBSZ36CHPNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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