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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

APLUS

None of APLUS’s ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons models qualifies.

CONTINENTAL

  1. 1WSEHV4860BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPCC48ABA1CONTINENTAL4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 98% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    63.3score / 100
  2. 2WSCHV0048BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WECC60ABC1CONTINENTAL4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 85% of its heat at 5°FMeets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    60.0score / 100
  3. 3WSCHV0060BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WECC60ABC1CONTINENTAL4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 77% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.78 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    43.6score / 100

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