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APLUS vs Stelpro: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical APLUS model beats 17% and a typical Stelpro model 67%. Stelpro 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

Stelpro

67%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

32 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%Stelpro: Beats 51%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAPLUS: Beats 6%Stelpro: Beats 77%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2APLUS: Beats 23%Stelpro: Beats 78%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2APLUS: Beats 22%Stelpro: Beats 67%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2APLUS: Beats 50%Stelpro: Beats 62%

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%
    Stelpro
    88%

  • Xcel CC

    APLUS
    0%
    Stelpro
    94%

  • CEE Advanced

    APLUS
    0%
    Stelpro
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    APLUS
    0%
    Stelpro
    78%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

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

APLUS

  1. 1ART-HF48SSMR3-C01/SE134APLUS3.5 tons · 44,500 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 40% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    41% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (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
    11.2 (EER2)
    Good
    24.4score / 100Heating 17 · Cooling 32

Stelpro

  1. 1SMZ5B1-H48A-OStelproAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.7Meets 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
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    83.9score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2SMZ5B1-H55A-OStelproAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H55A-O4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    82.0score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 83
  3. 3SDB1-H48A-Owith ducted air handler SAHB1-H48A-IStelpro4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 68.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    16.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    57.1score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 45

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