Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

CIAC vs Perfect Aire: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CIAC model beats 38% and a typical Perfect Aire model 53%. Perfect Aire rates higher overall.

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

CIAC

38%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

3 models listed

Perfect Aire

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

7 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 83%Perfect Aire: Beats 38%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCIAC: Beats 16%Perfect Aire: Beats 63%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CIAC: Beats 11%Perfect Aire: Beats 47%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CIAC: Beats 22%Perfect Aire: Beats 57%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CIAC: Beats 14%Perfect Aire: Beats 58%

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
    33%
    Perfect Aire
    86%

  • Xcel CC

    CIAC
    0%
    Perfect Aire
    86%

  • CEE Advanced

    CIAC
    0%
    Perfect Aire
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CIAC
    0%
    Perfect Aire
    86%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CIAC

  1. 1CPEA12AC1151AOwith ductless indoor unit CPEA12AC1151AHCIAC1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 66% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    67% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    37.8score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 37

Perfect Aire

  1. 14PAMSHHQC18-MZO2Perfect Aire1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.99 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.3 (EER2)
    Great
    69.2score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 69
  2. 24PAMSHQCO18with ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHQCW18Perfect Aire1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 65.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    60.2score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 55
  3. 34PAMSHQCO12with ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHQCW12Perfect Aire1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 47.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    50.9score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 54

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