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 Stelpro 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, Stelpro scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

CONTINENTAL
Stelpro
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	CONTINENTAL	Stelpro
Efficiency index	63%median —	67%median —
COP at 5°F	52% (higher)median 2.00	51% (higher)median 1.99
Capacity retention at 5°F	67%median 96%	77%median 94%
HSPF2	76%median 10.5	78%median 10.2
SEER2	64%median 23.0	67%median 20.8
EER2	61%median 12.5	62%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	70%median 19,000 Btu/h	76%median 25,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	31	32
AHRI certifications	45	91

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	CONTINENTAL	Stelpro
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	77.4%24 models	87.5%28 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	77.4%24 models	87.5%28 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	83.9%26 models	93.8%30 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	83.9%26 models	78.1%25 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 · 7 groups where both have models

CONTINENTAL
Stelpro
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	CONTINENTAL	Stelpro
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 29%	5 · index 79%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 51%	3 · index 60%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index 58%	8 · index 68%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 44%	8 · index 64%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	12 · index 73%	11 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 75%	3 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	8 · index 61%	4 · index 76%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	4 · index 67%

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 type	CONTINENTALCold-climate score, best model	StelproCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SEPB-H18A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H18A-I5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216082337
Ducted, 2 tons	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSEHV2436BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX24A-C2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218696907	85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216082339
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)NDHAMB-36-O3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215213729	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SMZ4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as SMZ4B1V-H36A-O8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216617677
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSEHV4860BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPCC48ABA13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218696915	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 216617680
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26B-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26B-18-IAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-18-O11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215213716	82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SELB-H09A-Owith ductless indoor unit SELB-H09A-I9 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 216445285
Non-ducted, 2 tons	88.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26BA-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26BA-24-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 215931368	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit SICB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216082332
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)NDHAMB-36-O7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 215213730	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)SMZ4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as SMZ4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216617678
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216617681

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 type	CONTINENTALAll-around score, best model	StelproAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	28.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSCHV0018BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WECC24ABA11 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218461323	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H09A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H09A-I5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216082334
Ducted, 2 tons	68.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSEHV2436BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX24A-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696907	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SEPB-H24A-Owith ducted air handler SFCB1-H24A-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216082339
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)NDHAMB-36-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213729	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SMZ4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as SMZ4B1V-H36A-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216617677
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)WSEHV4860BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX48A-C3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218696913	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216617680
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	81.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAMBB-18-O11 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215931370	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SELB-H09A-Owith ductless indoor unit SELB-H09A-I11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216445285
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26BA-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26BA-24-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215931368	76.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)SEPB-H24A-Owith ductless indoor unit SEPB-H24A-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216082326
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAMB-36-OAlso listed as CDHAMBB-36-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215213728	78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SMZ4B1-H36A-OAlso listed as SMZ4B1V-H36A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216617676
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216617679

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
Rating	CONTINENTAL	Stelpro
COP at 5°F	beats 95% · 2.36CDHAS22B-12-OAlso listed as CDHAS22BA-12-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 94% · 2.34SEPB-H24A-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 96% · 113%CDHAS26B-24-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 120%SEPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 98% · 13.5CDHAS26BA-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 99% · 11.0SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 95% · 27.4CDHAS26B-09-OAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-09-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 20.4SMZ5B1-H48A-OAlso listed as SMZ5B1V-H48A-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 95% · 15.4CDHAS26B-09-OAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-09-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 14.0SEPB-H09A-ODucted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 99% · 22,600 Btu/hCDHAS26B-24-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 19,000 Btu/hSMZ2B1-H18A-OAlso listed as SMZ2B1V-H18A-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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CONTINENTAL vs Stelpro heat pumps