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CONTINENTAL vs Stelpro: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CONTINENTAL model beats 63% and a typical Stelpro model 67%. Stelpro rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

CONTINENTAL

63%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

31 models listed

Stelpro

67%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

32 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 52%Stelpro: Beats 51%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCONTINENTAL: Beats 67%Stelpro: Beats 77%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CONTINENTAL: Beats 76%Stelpro: Beats 78%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CONTINENTAL: Beats 64%Stelpro: Beats 67%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CONTINENTAL: Beats 61%Stelpro: Beats 62%

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
    77%
    Stelpro
    88%

  • Xcel CC

    CONTINENTAL
    84%
    Stelpro
    94%

  • CEE Advanced

    CONTINENTAL
    0%
    Stelpro
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CONTINENTAL
    84%
    Stelpro
    78%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CONTINENTAL

No ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons model from CONTINENTAL.

Stelpro

  1. 1SMZ5B1-H48A-OStelproAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    75.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 79
  2. 2SMZ5B1-H55A-OStelproAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H55A-O4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 66.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.2 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    63.6score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 74

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