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.

Custom Comfort and Panasonic 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 3 of the 6 ratings.

Custom Comfort
Panasonic
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Custom Comfort	Panasonic
Efficiency index	71% (higher)median —	68% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	64%median 2.00	64%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	71%median 91%	72%median 90%
HSPF2	84% (higher)median 10.6	80% (higher)median 10.3
SEER2	69% (higher)median 20.8	66% (higher)median 20.0
EER2	67% (higher)median 12.3	62% (higher)median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	72%median 22,900 Btu/h	74%median 21,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	28	29
AHRI certifications	103	277

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Custom Comfort	Panasonic
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	96.4%27 models	96.6%28 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	96.4%27 models	96.6%28 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	3.6%1 models	20.7%6 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	100%28 models	89.7%26 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	3.6%1 models	20.7%6 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	100%28 models	79.3%23 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 · 8 groups where both have models

Custom Comfort
Panasonic
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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Custom Comfort	Panasonic
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	10 · index 78%	6 · index 68%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 71%	3 · index 64%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 72%	6 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 64%	5 · index 52%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	10 · index 75%	9 · index 81%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 82%	4 · index 76%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 65%	3 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index 51%	1 · index 63%

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	Custom ComfortCold-climate score, best model	PanasonicCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD0610 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 215745983	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-YM9CBUCwith ducted air handler CS-YM9CD2UW5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218027968
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ24HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD244 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215745987	77.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-YM24CBUCwith ducted air handler CS-YM24CD1UW3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218027971
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ36CHPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD367 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 215745999	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-5YM36CBUC5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218027980
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746015	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-6YM48CBUC5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218027983
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBWM0610 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 215745973	94.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-XZ9AKUACwith ductless indoor unit CS-XZ9AKUAW9 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 214837752
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ24HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHB4C242 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215745982	90.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-3Z22ABUC4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 214837935
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ36CHPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBFC366 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746002	73.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-5YM36CBUC3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218027981
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBMZ648HP4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215746016	68.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-6YM48CBUC1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218027984

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	Custom ComfortAll-around score, best model	PanasonicAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD0610 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215745983	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-YM18CBUCwith ducted air handler CS-YM18CD1UW6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027970
Ducted, 2 tons	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	78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-YM24CBUCwith ducted air handler CS-YM24CD1UW3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027971
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ536HP7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746012	84.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-5YM36CBUC6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027980
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746015	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-6YM48CBUC5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027983
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	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	95.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-XZ9AKUACwith ductless indoor unit CS-XZ9AKUAW9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214837752
Non-ducted, 2 tons	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	87.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CU-4Z24BBUC4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216441721
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBMZ536HP6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746011	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-5YM36CBUC3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027979
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBMZ648HP4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746014	62.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CU-6YM48CBUC1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218027982

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	Custom Comfort	Panasonic
COP at 5°F	beats 99% · 2.51CCOESBSZ12HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 2.51CU-YM12CBUCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 126%CCOXHBSZ09HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 134%CU-XZ9AKUACNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 14.8CCOXHBSZ06HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 11.0CU-6YM48CBUCDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 97% · 25.0CCOESBMZ427HPNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 96% · 27.5CU-XZ9AKUACNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 18.0CCOXHBSZ06HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 16.4CU-XZ9AKUACNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 39,500 Btu/hCCOXHBSZ36CHPNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 22,000 Btu/hCU-2Z18ABUCNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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Custom Comfort vs Panasonic heat pumps