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 31 outdoor models. AURUS and CONTINENTAL have no QMID on file and are not ranked.
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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
- CONTINENTAL
- Other ranked manufacturers
Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of
| Rating | AURUS | CONTINENTAL |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency index | 32%median — | 63%median — |
| COP at 5°F | 41%median 1.85 | 52%median 2.00 |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | 21%median 70% | 67%median 96% |
| HSPF2 | 35%median 9.5 | 76%median 10.5 |
| SEER2 | 31%median 17.0 | 64%median 23.0 |
| EER2 | 27%median 9.5 | 61%median 12.5 |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | 32%median 9,100 Btu/h | 70%median 19,000 Btu/h |
| Outdoor models | 12 | 31 |
| AHRI certifications | 12 | 45 |
Share of models meeting each standard
| Standard | AURUS | CONTINENTAL |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 33.3%4 models | 77.4%24 models |
| CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP) | 33.3%4 models | 77.4%24 models |
| CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP) | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025) | 33.3%4 models | 83.9%26 models |
| DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge | 0%0 models | 0%0 models |
| ENERGY STAR Cold Climate | 33.3%4 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.
- AURUS
- 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
| Size and duct type | AURUS | CONTINENTAL |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, up to 1.5 tons | None | 1 · index 29% |
| Ducted, 2 tons | None | 2 · index 51% |
| Ducted, 2.5–3 tons | None | 4 · index 58% |
| Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | None | 3 · index 44% |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 8 · index 35% | 12 · index 73% |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 2 · index 31% | 3 · index 75% |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 2 · index 8% | 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
| Size and duct type | AURUSCold-climate score, best model | CONTINENTALCold-climate score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, up to 1.5 tons | No models in this size class | None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify) |
| Ducted, 2 tons | No models in this size class | 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 | No models in this size class | 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 | No models in this size class | 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 | 59.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US23 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216980959 | 73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAS26B-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26B-18-IAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-18-O11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215213716 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 36.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216980961 | 88.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAS26BA-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26BA-24-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 215931368 |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify) | 78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)NDHAMB-36-O7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 215213730 |
All-around best
| Size and duct type | AURUSAll-around score, best model | CONTINENTALAll-around score, best model |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, up to 1.5 tons | No models in this size class | 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 | No models in this size class | 68.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSEHV2436BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX24A-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696907 |
| Ducted, 2.5–3 tons | No models in this size class | 83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)NDHAMB-36-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213729 |
| Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons | No models in this size class | 67.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSEHV4860BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX48A-C3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696913 |
| Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | 67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US27 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980959 | 81.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAMBB-18-O11 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215931370 |
| Non-ducted, 2 tons | 48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980961 | 76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAS26BA-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26BA-24-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215931368 |
| Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | 7.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)ARU32-H36A2/INVL-US2with ductless indoor unit ARU32-H36A2/INVL-US21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980958 | 78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAMB-36-OAlso listed as CDHAMBB-36-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213728 |
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.
| Rating | AURUS | CONTINENTAL |
|---|---|---|
| COP at 5°F | beats 96% · 2.21ARU-H36A2-INVX-USNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons | beats 95% · 2.36CDHAS22B-12-OAlso listed as CDHAS22BA-12-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| Capacity retention at 5°F | beats 49% · 74%ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, 2 tons | beats 96% · 113%CDHAS26B-24-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| HSPF2 | beats 64% · 10.0ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 98% · 13.5CDHAS26BA-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tons |
| SEER2 | beats 79% · 23.0ARU454-H24A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, 2 tons | beats 95% · 27.4CDHAS26B-09-OAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-09-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| EER2 | beats 70% · 13.0ARU454-H12A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 95% · 15.4CDHAS26B-09-OAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-09-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |
| Heating capacity at 5°F | beats 79% · 13,600 Btu/hARU454-H18A2/INVL-US2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons | beats 99% · 22,600 Btu/hCDHAS26B-24-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons |