Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

AURUS vs CONTINENTAL heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, CONTINENTAL scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. AURUS has 12 outdoor models, CONTINENTAL has 12 outdoor models. AURUS and CONTINENTAL have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

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.
AURUS 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.
  • AURUS
  • CONTINENTAL
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AURUSCONTINEN…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAURUSCONTINENTAL
Efficiency index35%median —67%median —
COP at 5°F36%median 1.8047%median 1.83
Capacity retention at 5°F40%median 69%74%median 88%
HSPF230%median 8.573%median 9.8
SEER241%median 19.072%median 21.3
EER215%median 10.068%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F49%median 15,000 Btu/h72%median 22,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models1212
AHRI certifications1259

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAURUSCONTINENTAL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)50%6 models100%12 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)41.7%5 models100%12 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)33.3%4 models100%12 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models83.3%10 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 · 5 groups where both have models
  • AURUS
  • CONTINENTAL
  • All models of the group
Ducted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 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 typeAURUSCONTINENTAL
Ducted, 2 tons1 · index 48%2 · index 50%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 63%1 · index 74%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 51%2 · index 63%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons6 · index 20%4 · index 73%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 25%2 · index 76%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone2 · 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 typeAURUSCold-climate score, best modelCONTINENTALCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons61.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU-H24CD/INVS-USwith ducted air handler ARU-H24AH/INVS-US1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 208842390No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons75.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ARU-H36CD/INVS-USwith ducted air handler ARU-H36AH/INVS-US1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 20884239165.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-28-O3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 213386542
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)58.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CS18HV48A60with ducted air handler CPFX48AAlso listed as WSEHV4860RA1-C2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 207335558
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons28.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU-H12A1/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU-H12A1/INVL-US2Also listed as ARU-H12A2/INVL-US22 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21061010377.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAS22-12-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-12-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213386538
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26-24-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213386537
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-36-O2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213386544

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 typeAURUSAll-around score, best modelCONTINENTALAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons48.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU-H24CD/INVS-USwith ducted air handler ARU-H24AH/INVS-US1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20884239060.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CS18HV24A36with ducted air handler CPFX24AAlso listed as WSEHV2436RA1-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207335556
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons63.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU-H36CD/INVS-USwith ducted air handler ARU-H36AH/INVS-US1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20884239173.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAM-28-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386542
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU-H48CD/INVS-USwith ducted air handler ARU-H48AH/INVS-US2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20884239263.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CS18HV48A60with ducted air handler CPFX48AAlso listed as WSEHV4860RA1-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207335558
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons23.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU-H12A1/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU-H12A1/INVL-US2Also listed as ARU-H12A2/INVL-US24 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21061010378.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAS22-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-18-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386540
Non-ducted, 2 tons24.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU-H24A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU-H24A2/INVL-US21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21061010684.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAS26-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26-24-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386537
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNo models in this size class70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-36-O2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386544

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
RatingAURUSCONTINENTAL
COP at 5°Fbeats 75% · 2.05ARU-H36CD/INVS-USDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 2.22CDHAS22-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 63% · 76%ARU-H36CD/INVS-USDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 89% · 99%CDHAM-36-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 83% · 9.5ARU-H36CD/INVS-USDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 93% · 11.4CDHAS26-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2beats 82% · 17.5ARU-H48CD/INVS-USDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 92% · 20.0CDHAM-28-ODucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 29% · 10.1ARU-H48CD/INVS-USDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 85% · 14.0CDHAS26-12-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 64% · 26,000 Btu/hARU-H36CD/INVS-USDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 94% · 36,600 Btu/hCDHAM-36-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers