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CIAC vs ROVSUN: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CIAC model beats 38% and a typical ROVSUN model 44%. ROVSUN 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

ROVSUN

44%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Below average

82 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%ROVSUN: Beats 37%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCIAC: Beats 16%ROVSUN: Beats 41%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CIAC: Beats 11%ROVSUN: Beats 52%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CIAC: Beats 22%ROVSUN: Beats 51%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CIAC: Beats 14%ROVSUN: Beats 35%

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%
    ROVSUN
    78%

  • Xcel CC

    CIAC
    0%
    ROVSUN
    74%

  • CEE Advanced

    CIAC
    0%
    ROVSUN
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CIAC
    0%
    ROVSUN
    35%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

CIAC

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from CIAC.

ROVSUN

  1. 1RV-AHU36S-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU36S-IROVSUN3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.5Meets 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
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    57.9score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 51
  2. 2RV-AHU36T-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU36T-IROVSUN3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    51.6score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 48
  3. 3RV-AHU36TR-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU36TR-IROVSUN3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 63% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    64% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    26.8score / 100Heating 35 · Cooling 19

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.

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