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Capella vs VKIN: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Capella model beats 69% and a typical VKIN model 60%. Capella rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Capella

69%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

27 models listed

VKIN

60%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

26 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°FCapella: Beats 54%VKIN: Beats 57%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCapella: Beats 77%VKIN: Beats 55%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Capella: Beats 79%VKIN: Beats 60%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Capella: Beats 71%VKIN: Beats 72%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Capella: Beats 67%VKIN: Beats 54%

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

    Capella
    96%
    VKIN
    96%

  • Xcel CC

    Capella
    93%
    VKIN
    92%

  • CEE Advanced

    Capella
    0%
    VKIN
    4%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Capella
    93%
    VKIN
    89%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

Capella

  1. 1CPM4B1-H36A-OCapellaAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2CPM3B1-H27A-OCapellaAlso listed as CPM3B1V-H27A-O2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 82
  3. 3CCB1-H36A-Owith ducted air handler CAHB1-H36A-ICapella3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.4 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 62

VKIN

  1. 1URHT-27FM3N4VKIN2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.9score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 90
  2. 2UCHA-36HDCTwith ducted air handler UCHA-36HDCVKIN3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.3 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    65.1score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 60
  3. 3URHT-36FM4N4VKIN3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    63.6score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 79

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.

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