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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, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

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

ROVSUN

  1. 1TMSC-18HA2/I2XI20B-OROVSUNAlso listed as TMSC-18HA2/I2XI20B-O1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    72.2score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 76
  2. 2TSC-12HA2/I3XI23B-Owith ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3XI23B-IROVSUNAlso listed as TSC-12HA2/I3XI23B-O, RV12T2/23-O1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 59.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    67.7score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 76
  3. 3TSC-12HA1/I3XI22B-Owith ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA1/I3XI22B-IROVSUNAlso listed as TSC-12HA1/I3XI22B-O, RV12T1/22-O1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    65.0score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 71

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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