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 ROVSUN 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, ROVSUN scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

CIAC
ROVSUN
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	CIAC	ROVSUN
Efficiency index	38%median —	44%median —
COP at 5°F	83% (higher)median 2.13	37% (higher)median 1.85
Capacity retention at 5°F	16%median 67%	41%median 73%
HSPF2	11%median 8.0	52%median 9.5
SEER2	22%median 17.0	51%median 20.0
EER2	14%median 9.5	35%median 11.1
Heating capacity at 5°F	17%median 6,700 Btu/h	46%median 10,750 Btu/h
Outdoor models	3	82
AHRI certifications	4	91

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	CIAC	ROVSUN
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	33.3%1 models	78%64 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	33.3%1 models	78%64 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	74.4%61 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	35.4%29 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
ROVSUN
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	ROVSUN
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	12 · index 54%
Ducted, 2 tons	None	4 · index 47%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	3 · index 45%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	4 · index 39%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 38%	46 · index 40%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index —	6 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	8 · index 45%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · index 27%

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	ROVSUNCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	59.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TD-09D2HRH/DVOAlso listed as TC-09CHRH/DVO-D, TSC-09HA2/I3XI23B-O, RVD-O9D2/O12 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217154242
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	68.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RV-AHU24S-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU24S-I3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218471396
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)RV-AHU36S-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU36S-I2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218471397
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	66.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)RV-AHU55S-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU55S-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218471398
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMSC-18HA2/I2XI20B-OAlso listed as TMSC-18HA2/I2XI20B-O33 of 46 models qualify · AHRI 216020714
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-24HA2/I3XI21B-Owith ductless indoor unit TC-24CHRH/DVIAlso listed as RVC-24/O5 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 217598675
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMSC-27HA2/I2XI19B-OAlso listed as TMSC-27HA2/I2XI19B-O6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216020715
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	24.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)RV42M2/19-O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218035868

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	ROVSUNAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	65.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)TD-09D2HRH/DVOAlso listed as TC-09CHRH/DVO-D, TSC-09HA2/I3XI23B-O, RVD-O9D2/O12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217154242
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	70.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)RV-AHU24S-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU24S-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471396
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	57.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RV-AHU36S-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU36S-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471397
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	54.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RV-AHU55S-Owith ducted air handler RV-AHU55S-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471398
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	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMSC-18HA2/I2XI20B-OAlso listed as TMSC-18HA2/I2XI20B-O46 of 46 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216020714
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	58.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-24HA2/I3XI21B-Owith ductless indoor unit TC-24CHRH/DVIAlso listed as RVC-24/O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217598675
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMSC-27HA2/I2XI19B-OAlso listed as TMSC-27HA2/I2XI19B-O6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216020715
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	27.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RV42M2/19-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218035868

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	ROVSUN
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.21PCG817A-X036PHB3CNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 77% · 2.10TSC-12HA1/I3XI22B-OAlso listed as TSC-12HA1/I3XI22B-O, RV12T1/22-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 16% · 67%CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 92% · 100%RV-AHU24S-ODucted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 29% · 9.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 81% · 10.4TSC-24HA2/I3XI21B-OAlso listed as RVC-24/ONon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 56% · 22.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 24.0TMSC-27HA2/I2XI19B-OAlso listed as TMSC-27HA2/I2XI19B-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 16% · 10.0CPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 70% · 13.0TSC-09HA1/I3XI22B-OAlso listed as TSC-09HA1/I3XI22B-O, TSC-09HA2/I3XI23B-O, RV09T1/22-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 32% · 8,200 Btu/hCPEA12AC1151AONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 50,000 Btu/hRV-AHU55S-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

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CIAC vs ROVSUN heat pumps