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AAON vs Capella heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Capella scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. AAON has 28 outdoor models, Capella has 27 outdoor models. AAON and Capella 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.
AAON and Capella 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, Capella scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • AAON
  • Capella
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AAONCapella

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAAONCapella
Efficiency index34%median —69%median —
COP at 5°F16%median 1.6054%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F21%median 41%77%median 95%
HSPF234%median 7.479%median 10.4
SEER245%median 15.971%median 21.3
EER283% (higher)median 12.467% (higher)median 12.3
Heating capacity at 5°F26%median 21,150 Btu/h75%median 21,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models2827
AHRI certifications5589

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAAONCapella
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models96.3%26 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models96.3%26 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)0%0 models92.6%25 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models92.6%25 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
  • AAON
  • Capella
  • 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 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 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 typeAAONCapella
Ducted, 2 tons5 · index 33%2 · index 70%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons7 · index 32%6 · index 75%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons14 · index 36%6 · index 71%
Ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index —None
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone5 · index 79%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone11 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone3 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone4 · index 76%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone4 · index 67%

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 typeAAONCold-climate score, best modelCapellaCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H18A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H18A-I5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216027630
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 5 models qualify)85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216027631
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons44.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)RQ-003-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-A1 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21802659282.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216027639
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 14 models qualify)82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216027642
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPEB-H09A-Owith ductless indoor unit CPEB-H09A-I9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216445281
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit SICB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216027627
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216027640
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216027643

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 typeAAONAll-around score, best modelCapellaAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H09A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H09A-I5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027628
Ducted, 2 tons33.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RQ-002-3-0-HBAC-V0-21-000-A1 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21461030978.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027631
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons36.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RQ-003-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-A3 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21802659283.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027639
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RQ-004-3-0-HBAC-V0-21-000-A4 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21461031583.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027642
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPEB-H09A-Owith ductless indoor unit CPEB-H09A-I11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216445281
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit CPPB-H24A-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027623
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027638
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027641

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
RatingAAONCapella
COP at 5°Fbeats 54% · 2.00RQ-004-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 94% · 2.34CPPB-H24A-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 81% · 98%RQ-003-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-ADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 120%CPPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 72% · 8.9CF-005-3-A-GB0C-00-21-000-ADucted, 5 tons and upbeats 99% · 11.0CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 91% · 19.6CF-002-3-A-FB0C-00-21-000-ADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 20.4CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 100% · 15.7CF-002-3-A-FB0C-00-21-000-ADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 95% · 14.0CPPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 87% · 34,600 Btu/hRQ-003-3-0-KBBS-V0-21-000-ADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 97% · 19,000 Btu/hCPM2B1-H18A-OAlso listed as CPM2B1V-H18A-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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