Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

APLUS vs CONTINENTAL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical APLUS model beats 17% and a typical CONTINENTAL model 63%. CONTINENTAL rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

APLUS

17%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

31 models listed

CONTINENTAL

63%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

31 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°FAPLUS: Beats 14%CONTINENTAL: Beats 52%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAPLUS: Beats 6%CONTINENTAL: Beats 67%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2APLUS: Beats 23%CONTINENTAL: Beats 76%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2APLUS: Beats 22%CONTINENTAL: Beats 64%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2APLUS: Beats 50%CONTINENTAL: Beats 61%

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

    APLUS
    0%
    CONTINENTAL
    77%

  • Xcel CC

    APLUS
    0%
    CONTINENTAL
    84%

  • CEE Advanced

    APLUS
    0%
    CONTINENTAL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    APLUS
    0%
    CONTINENTAL
    84%

All-around best, ducted 2 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

APLUS

  1. 1ART-HF24SSMR3-D01/SE134APLUS2 tons · 22,800 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 36% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    37% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.48 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    6.7 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    13.4 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.8 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    8.4score / 100Heating 4 · Cooling 13

CONTINENTAL

  1. 1WSEHV2436BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX24A-CCONTINENTAL2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 76.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    68.3score / 100Heating 76 · Cooling 60
  2. 2WSCHV0024BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WECC24ABA1CONTINENTAL2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 43.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    33.5score / 100Heating 44 · Cooling 23

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.

Open the advanced view