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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, ductless 2 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CONTINENTAL

  1. 1CDHAS26BA-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26BA-24-ICONTINENTAL2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 88.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    76.4score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 65
  2. 2CDHAS22B-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22B-24-ICONTINENTALAlso listed as CDHAS22BA-24-O2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 63.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.15 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    74.3score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 85

ZENAIRE

None of ZENAIRE’s ductless, 2 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