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CONTINENTAL vs Proair heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, CONTINENTAL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. CONTINENTAL has 12 outdoor models, Proair has 11 outdoor models. CONTINENTAL and Proair 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.
CONTINENTAL and Proair 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 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • CONTINENTAL
  • Proair
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CONTINEN…Proair

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCONTINENTALProair
Efficiency index67% (higher)median —50% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F47% (higher)median 1.8345% (higher)median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F74% (higher)median 88%65% (higher)median 80%
HSPF273%median 9.877%median 9.4
SEER272% (higher)median 21.348% (higher)median 15.6
EER268% (higher)median 12.526% (higher)median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F72% (higher)median 22,000 Btu/h67% (higher)median 22,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models1211
AHRI certifications5920

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCONTINENTALProair
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%12 models45.5%5 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%12 models45.5%5 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%12 models63.6%7 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate83.3%10 models0%0 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 · 3 groups where both have models
  • CONTINENTAL
  • Proair
  • 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 typeCONTINENTALProair
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index 50%3 · index 55%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 74%6 · index 46%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 63%2 · index 53%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 73%None
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 76%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · 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 typeCONTINENTALCold-climate score, best modelProairCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class67.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)P15-24REFN1with ducted air handler PAC-24B-HWDN13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 215449957
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons65.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-28-O3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21338654278.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P30-40HFN1-Dwith ducted air handler PAC-36C-HWND14 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215449960
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons58.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CS18HV48A60with ducted air handler CPFX48AAlso listed as WSEHV4860RA1-C2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 20733555873.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P30-48HFN1-Dwith ducted air handler PAH-48HWFN12 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215449955
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons77.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS22-12-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-12-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213386538No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26-24-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213386537No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-36-O2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213386544No 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 typeCONTINENTALAll-around score, best modelProairAll-around score, best model
Ducted, 2 tons60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CS18HV24A36with ducted air handler CPFX24AAlso listed as WSEHV2436RA1-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20733555665.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)P30-24HFN1with ducted air handler PAH-24HWFN13 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217550387
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAM-28-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21338654268.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)P30-36HFN1-Swith ducted air handler PAH-36HWFN16 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215449954
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons63.3(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 20733555853.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)P30-60HFN1-Dwith ducted air handler PAH-60HWFN12 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215449956
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS22-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-18-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386540No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26-24-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386537No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-36-O2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386544No 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
RatingCONTINENTALProair
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.22CDHAS22-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 74% · 2.20P15-24REFN1Ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 89% · 99%CDHAM-36-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 92% · 92%P30-48HFN1-DDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
HSPF2beats 93% · 11.4CDHAS26-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 93% · 10.0P30-40HFN1-DDucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 92% · 20.0CDHAM-28-ODucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 69% · 17.3P30-30HFN1Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 85% · 14.0CDHAS26-12-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 67% · 11.7P30-36HFN1-SDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 94% · 36,600 Btu/hCDHAM-36-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 38,000 Btu/hP30-36HFN1-SDucted, 2.5–3 tons

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