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.

Capella and UTL 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, Capella scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

Capella
UTL
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Capella	UTL
Efficiency index	69% (higher)median —	63% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	54%median 2.00	80%median 2.20
Capacity retention at 5°F	77% (higher)median 95%	59% (higher)median 74%
HSPF2	79% (higher)median 10.4	75% (higher)median 9.4
SEER2	71% (higher)median 21.3	69% (higher)median 18.0
EER2	67% (higher)median 12.3	42% (higher)median 11.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	75% (higher)median 21,600 Btu/h	61% (higher)median 25,800 Btu/h
Outdoor models	27	26
AHRI certifications	89	34

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Capella	UTL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	96.3%26 models	88.5%23 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	96.3%26 models	88.5%23 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	11.5%3 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	92.6%25 models	84.6%22 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	11.5%3 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	92.6%25 models	100%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

Capella
UTL
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Capella	UTL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	5 · index 79%	1 · index 51%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 70%	6 · index 73%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 75%	8 · index 61%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 71%	11 · index 60%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	11 · index 63%	None
Non-ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 55%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 76%	None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index 67%	None

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	CapellaCold-climate score, best model	UTLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPPB-H18A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H18A-I5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216027630	51.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-18HFDCSN4with ducted air handler UCHA-18HFDCAN41 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218721137
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216027631	89.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UCHA-24HDCTRN2with ducted air handler UCHA-24HDCALN26 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218472797
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216027639	78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-36HDCTRN2with ducted air handler UCHA-36HDCALN28 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218472798
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216027642	79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-48HDCTRN2with ducted air handler UCHA-48HDCALN211 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 218472800
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPEB-H09A-Owith ductless indoor unit CPEB-H09A-I9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216445281	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit SICB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216027627	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216027640	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216027643	No models in this size class

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	CapellaAll-around score, best model	UTLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPPB-H09A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H09A-I5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027628	50.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-18HFDCSN4with ducted air handler UCHA-18HFDCAN41 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218721137
Ducted, 2 tons	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027631	85.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UCHA-24HDCTRN2with ducted air handler UCHA-24HDCALN26 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218472797
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027639	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-36HDCT(O)with ducted air handler UCHA-36HDCT(I)Also listed as UCHA-36HDCT, UCHA-36HDCTN28 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214771549
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027642	68.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-48HDCTwith ducted air handler UCHA-48HDCAlso listed as UCHA-48HDCTN211 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217014849
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPEB-H09A-Owith ductless indoor unit CPEB-H09A-I11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216445281	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit CPPB-H24A-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027623	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027638	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027641	No models in this size class

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	Capella	UTL
COP at 5°F	beats 94% · 2.34CPPB-H24A-ONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 89% · 2.30UCHA-36HDCTRN2Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 120%CPPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 92% · 100%UCHA-24HDCSN4Also listed as UCHA-24HDCSN2Ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 11.0CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 90% · 10.5UCHA-48HDCTRN2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 96% · 20.4CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 87% · 20.0UCHA-24HDCTAlso listed as UCHA-24HDCTN2Ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 95% · 14.0CPPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 14.0UCHA-24HDCTAlso listed as UCHA-24HDCTN2Ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 97% · 19,000 Btu/hCPM2B1-H18A-OAlso listed as CPM2B1V-H18A-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 89% · 24,000 Btu/hUCHA-24HDCSN4Also listed as UCHA-24HDCSN2Ducted, 2 tons

More comparisons

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Capella vs UTL heat pumps