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CONTINENTAL vs QUEBEC VAIR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CONTINENTAL model beats 67% and a typical QUEBEC VAIR model 72%. QUEBEC VAIR rates slightly higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

CONTINENTAL

67%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

12 models listed

QUEBEC VAIR

72%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

12 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°FCONTINENTAL: Beats 47%QUEBEC VAIR: Beats 42%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCONTINENTAL: Beats 74%QUEBEC VAIR: Beats 74%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CONTINENTAL: Beats 73%QUEBEC VAIR: Beats 82%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CONTINENTAL: Beats 72%QUEBEC VAIR: Beats 81%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CONTINENTAL: Beats 68%QUEBEC VAIR: Beats 74%

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

    CONTINENTAL
    100%
    QUEBEC VAIR
    100%

  • Xcel CC

    CONTINENTAL
    100%
    QUEBEC VAIR
    100%

  • CEE Advanced

    CONTINENTAL
    0%
    QUEBEC VAIR
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CONTINENTAL
    83%
    QUEBEC VAIR
    67%

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?

CONTINENTAL

  1. 1CDHAM-28-OCONTINENTAL2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 65.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.76 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    73.8score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 83

QUEBEC VAIR

  1. 1NE-T53-MULTI28EQUEBEC VAIRAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28E2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    74.6score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 83
  2. 2NE-T53-MULTI36EQUEBEC VAIR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.2Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.5score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 79
  3. 3NE-T53-MULTI36E*QUEBEC VAIR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 63.7Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.2score / 100Heating 64 · 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.

Open the advanced view