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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless up to 1.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CONTINENTAL

  1. 1CDHAS22-12-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-12-ICONTINENTAL1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 74% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.25 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.8score / 100
  2. 2CDHAS22-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-18-ICONTINENTAL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.35 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    75.3score / 100
  3. 3CDHAS26-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26-18-ICONTINENTAL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    67.2score / 100

QUEBEC VAIR

  1. 1NE-T52-PLA18EXTwith ductless indoor unit NE-T52-PLA18INTQUEBEC VAIRAlso listed as NE-T52-QVAIR18E1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.38 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Great
    70.6score / 100
  2. 2NE-T53-AEG18EXTwith ductless indoor unit NE-T53-AEG18INTQUEBEC VAIRAlso listed as NE-T52-QVAIR3018E1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    67.2score / 100
  3. 3NE-T53-AEG12EXTwith ductless indoor unit NE-T53-AEG12INTQUEBEC VAIRAlso listed as NE-T52-QVAIR3012E1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    62.4score / 100

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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