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CONTINENTAL vs ZENAIRE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CONTINENTAL model beats 63% and a typical ZENAIRE model 17%. CONTINENTAL rates 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

ZENAIRE

17%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

24 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%ZENAIRE: Beats 73%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCONTINENTAL: Beats 67%ZENAIRE: Beats 0%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CONTINENTAL: Beats 76%ZENAIRE: Beats 18%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CONTINENTAL: Beats 64%ZENAIRE: Beats 17%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CONTINENTAL: Beats 61%ZENAIRE: Beats 37%

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%
    ZENAIRE
    0%

  • Xcel CC

    CONTINENTAL
    84%
    ZENAIRE
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    CONTINENTAL
    0%
    ZENAIRE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CONTINENTAL
    84%
    ZENAIRE
    0%

All-around best, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

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

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

CONTINENTAL

  1. 1WSEHV4860BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WPFX48A-CCONTINENTAL4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 63.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    84% (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
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.5 (EER2)
    Good
    67.1score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 75
  2. 2WSCHV0048BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WECC60ABC1CONTINENTAL4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 60.0Meets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.85 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    45.5score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 31
  3. 3WSCHV0060BA1-Cwith ducted air handler WECC60ABC1CONTINENTAL4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 43.6Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.78 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    14.9 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    8.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    31.0score / 100Heating 44 · Cooling 18

ZENAIRE

None of ZENAIRE’s ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons models has all five ratings.

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