APLUS vs CONTINENTAL heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, CONTINENTAL scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. APLUS has 31 outdoor models, CONTINENTAL has 31 outdoor models. APLUS and CONTINENTAL have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 9, 2026updated Oct 10, 2026 · 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.

APLUS and CONTINENTAL 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, CONTINENTAL scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

APLUS
CONTINENTAL
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	APLUS	CONTINENTAL
Efficiency index	17%median —	63%median —
COP at 5°F	14%median 1.64	52%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	6%median 38%	67%median 96%
HSPF2	23%median 7.5	76%median 10.5
SEER2	22%median 14.3	64%median 23.0
EER2	50%median 11.7	61%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	7%median 11,800 Btu/h	70%median 19,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	31	31
AHRI certifications	62	45

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	APLUS	CONTINENTAL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	77.4%24 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	77.4%24 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	0%0 models	83.9%26 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	83.9%26 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 · 4 groups where both have models

APLUS
CONTINENTAL
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	APLUS	CONTINENTAL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index —	1 · index 29%
Ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 8%	2 · index 51%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	13 · index 17%	4 · index 58%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	8 · index 24%	3 · index 44%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	12 · index 73%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	3 · index 75%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	8 · index 61%

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	APLUSCold-climate score, best model	CONTINENTALCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSEHV2436BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX24A-C2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218696907
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 13 models qualify)	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)NDHAMB-36-O3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215213729
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)	63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSEHV4860BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPCC48ABA13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218696915
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26B-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26B-18-IAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-18-O11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215213716
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	88.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26BA-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26BA-24-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 215931368
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)NDHAMB-36-O7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 215213730

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	APLUSAll-around score, best model	CONTINENTALAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 3 models have all five ratings)	28.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSCHV0018BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WECC24ABA11 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218461323
Ducted, 2 tons	8.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ART-HF24SSMR3-D01/SE1341 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218725502	68.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WSEHV2436BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX24A-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696907
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	20.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ART-HF42SSMR3-C01/SE1343 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218725505	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NDHAMB-36-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213729
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	24.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ART-HF48SSMR3-C01/SE1341 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218725506	67.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)WSEHV4860BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX48A-C3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696913
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	81.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAMBB-18-O11 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215931370
Non-ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26BA-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26BA-24-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215931368
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAMB-36-OAlso listed as CDHAMBB-36-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213728

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	APLUS	CONTINENTAL
COP at 5°F	beats 34% · 1.86ART-HF48SSMR3-C01/SE134Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 95% · 2.36CDHAS22B-12-OAlso listed as CDHAS22BA-12-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 13% · 43%ART-HF42SSMR3-C01/SE134Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 96% · 113%CDHAS26B-24-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 27% · 7.5ATD-HF42SMR4-C01/SE143Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 13.5CDHAS26BA-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 50% · 16.0ART-HF48DDMR3-C01/SE160Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 95% · 27.4CDHAS26B-09-OAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-09-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 67% · 11.7ATD-HF42SMR4-C01/SE143Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 95% · 15.4CDHAS26B-09-OAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-09-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 19% · 16,200 Btu/hART-HF42SSMR3-C01/SE134Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 22,600 Btu/hCDHAS26B-24-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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