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CONTINENTAL vs QUEBEC VAIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, QUEBEC VAIR scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. CONTINENTAL has 12 outdoor models, QUEBEC VAIR has 12 outdoor models. CONTINENTAL and QUEBEC VAIR 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 QUEBEC VAIR 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, QUEBEC VAIR scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings.
  • CONTINENTAL
  • QUEBEC VAIR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CONTINEN…QUEBEC V…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCONTINENTALQUEBEC VAIR
Efficiency index67%median —72%median —
COP at 5°F47% (higher)median 1.8342% (higher)median 1.85
Capacity retention at 5°F74%median 88%74%median 93%
HSPF273%median 9.882%median 10.4
SEER272%median 21.381%median 23.1
EER268%median 12.574%median 13.0
Heating capacity at 5°F72%median 22,000 Btu/h72%median 15,300 Btu/h
Outdoor models1212
AHRI certifications5928

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCONTINENTALQUEBEC VAIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%12 models100%12 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%12 models100%12 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%12 models100%12 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate83.3%10 models66.7%8 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
  • QUEBEC VAIR
  • 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 typeCONTINENTALQUEBEC VAIR
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index 50%None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 74%4 · index 73%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 63%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 73%8 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 2 tons2 · index 76%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 67%4 · index 78%

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 modelQUEBEC VAIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons65.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-28-O3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21338654266.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28E4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213927614
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 207335558No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons77.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAS22-12-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-12-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21338653870.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)NE-T52-PLA18EXTwith ductless indoor unit NE-T52-PLA18INTAlso listed as NE-T52-QVAIR18E8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 212579412
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 21338654479.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213927616

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 modelQUEBEC VAIRAll-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 207335556No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-28-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21338654274.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28E4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927614
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CS18HV48A60with ducted air handler CPFX48AAlso listed as WSEHV4860RA1-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207335558No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CDHAS22-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-18-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21338654075.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)NE-T52-PLA18EXTwith ductless indoor unit NE-T52-PLA18INTAlso listed as NE-T52-QVAIR18E8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212579412
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 21338654482.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213927616

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
RatingCONTINENTALQUEBEC VAIR
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.22CDHAS22-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 96% · 2.38NE-T52-PLA18EXTAlso listed as NE-T52-QVAIR18ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 89% · 99%CDHAM-36-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 85% · 97%NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 93% · 11.4CDHAS26-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 95% · 10.6NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 92% · 20.0CDHAM-28-ODucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 92% · 20.0NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28EDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 85% · 14.0CDHAS26-12-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 13.6NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 94% · 36,600 Btu/hCDHAM-36-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 92% · 18,000 Btu/hNE-T53-AEG18EXTAlso listed as NE-T52-QVAIR3018ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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