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 VKIN 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 4 of the 6 ratings.

Capella
VKIN
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Capella	VKIN
Efficiency index	69% (higher)median —	60% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	54%median 2.00	57%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	77% (higher)median 95%	55% (higher)median 75%
HSPF2	79% (higher)median 10.4	60% (higher)median 9.8
SEER2	71%median 21.3	72%median 22.0
EER2	67% (higher)median 12.3	54% (higher)median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	75% (higher)median 21,600 Btu/h	54% (higher)median 18,700 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	VKIN
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	96.3%26 models	96.2%25 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	96.3%26 models	96.2%25 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	3.8%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	92.6%25 models	92.3%24 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	3.8%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	92.6%25 models	88.5%23 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 · 8 groups where both have models

Capella
VKIN
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	VKIN
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	5 · index 79%	1 · index 69%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 70%	2 · index 76%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 75%	4 · index 65%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 71%	5 · index 63%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	11 · index 63%	11 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 55%	3 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 76%	2 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index 67%	2 · index 41%

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	VKINCold-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	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHT-18FM2N41 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218258554
Ducted, 2 tons	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216027631	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-24HDCSN4with ducted air handler UCHA-24HDCN42 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218385960
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	70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-36HDCTwith ducted air handler UCHA-36HDC4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218385958
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	76.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)UCHA-48HDCSN4with ducted air handler UCHA-48HDCN45 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218385962
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	82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHA-09WDCN4(O)with ductless indoor unit URHA-09WDCN4(I)10 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216498652
Non-ducted, 2 tons	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit SICB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216027627	48.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHA-24WDCN4(O)with ductless indoor unit URHA-24WDCN4(I)3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216498655
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216027640	57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHT-27FM3N42 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218258550
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216027643	31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHT-42FM5N42 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218258552

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	VKINAll-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	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHT-18FM2N41 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218258554
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	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UCHA-24HDCTwith ducted air handler UCHA-24HDC2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218385956
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	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHT-27FM3N44 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218258555
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-48HDC5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218385957
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	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHA-09WDCN4(O)with ductless indoor unit URHA-09WDCN4(I)11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216498652
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit CPPB-H24A-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027623	58.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHA-24WDCN4(O)with ductless indoor unit URHA-24WDCN4(I)3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216498655
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as CPM4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027638	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHT-27FM3N42 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218258550
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216027641	42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)URHT-42FM5N42 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218258552

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	VKIN
COP at 5°F	beats 94% · 2.34CPPB-H24A-ONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 98% · 2.49URHA-18WDCNX-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 120%CPPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 92% · 100%UCHA-24HDCSN4Ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 11.0CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 85% · 11.0URHA-09WDCN4(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 96% · 20.4CPM5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as CPM5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 22.0URHT-27FM3N4Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 95% · 14.0CPPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 14.0UCHA-24HDCTDucted, 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 93% · 18,000 Btu/hURHA-18WDCN4(O)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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Capella vs VKIN heat pumps