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Custom Comfort vs Perfect Aire heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Custom Comfort scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. Custom Comfort has 28 outdoor models, Perfect Aire has 7 outdoor models. Custom Comfort and Perfect Aire have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

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 Perfect Aire 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 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • Custom Comfort
  • Perfect Aire
  • Other ranked manufacturers
Custom C…Perfect …

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCustom ComfortPerfect Aire
Efficiency index71% (higher)median —53% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F64% (higher)median 2.0038% (higher)median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F71% (higher)median 91%63% (higher)median 80%
HSPF284% (higher)median 10.647% (higher)median 9.5
SEER269% (higher)median 20.857% (higher)median 22.0
EER267% (higher)median 12.358% (higher)median 12.3
Heating capacity at 5°F72% (higher)median 22,900 Btu/h61% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models287
AHRI certifications10310

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCustom ComfortPerfect Aire
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)96.4%27 models85.7%6 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)96.4%27 models85.7%6 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)3.6%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%28 models85.7%6 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge3.6%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate100%28 models85.7%6 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 · 3 groups where both have models
  • Custom Comfort
  • Perfect Aire
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeCustom ComfortPerfect Aire
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons10 · index 78%None
Ducted, 2 tons4 · index 71%None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons7 · index 72%None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons6 · index 64%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons10 · index 75%4 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 82%1 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons6 · index 65%2 · index 40%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · index 51%None

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 typeCustom ComfortCold-climate score, best modelPerfect AireCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD0610 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 215745983No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ24HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD244 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215745987No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ36CHPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD367 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 215745999No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215746015No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBWM0610 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21574597369.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHHQC18-MZO24 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218792068
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ24HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHB4C242 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21574598254.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHQCW24-21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217747132
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ36CHPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBFC366 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21574600250.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHHQC27-MZO31 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218792069
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215746016No models in this size class

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 typeCustom ComfortAll-around score, best modelPerfect AireAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD0610 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215745983No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOESBSZ24HPwith ducted air handler CCOXHBSD244 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218425832No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ536HP7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746012No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746015No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBSZ06HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBWM0610 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574597369.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHHQC18-MZO24 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218792068
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOESBSZ24HPwith ductless indoor unit CCOXHBWM242 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21796840261.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHQCO24with ductless indoor unit 4PAMSHQCW24-21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747132
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CCOXHBMZ536HP6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21574601164.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)4PAMSHHQC27-MZO32 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218792069
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CCOXHBMZ648HP4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215746014No models in this size class

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
RatingCustom ComfortPerfect Aire
COP at 5°Fbeats 99% · 2.51CCOESBSZ12HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 56% · 1.994PAMSHHQC18-MZO2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 98% · 126%CCOXHBSZ09HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 87% · 100%4PAMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 14.8CCOXHBSZ06HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 64% · 10.04PAMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 97% · 25.0CCOESBMZ427HPNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 75% · 23.04PAMSHHQC27-MZO3Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 99% · 18.0CCOXHBSZ06HPNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 80% · 12.94PAMSHHQC27-MZO3Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 39,500 Btu/hCCOXHBSZ36CHPNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 93% · 18,000 Btu/h4PAMSHQCO18Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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