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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CONTINENTAL

  1. 1CDHAMBB-18-OCONTINENTAL1.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    81.9score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 91
  2. 2CDHAS26B-09-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26B-09-ICONTINENTALAlso listed as CDHAS26BA-09-O1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 65.1Meets 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    12.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    27.4 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    80.6score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 96
  3. 3CDHAS22B-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22B-18-ICONTINENTALAlso listed as CDHAS22BA-18-O1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.35 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.5 (EER2)
    Great
    76.6score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 80

ZENAIRE

  1. 1DHP12BC17Qwith ductless indoor unit DHP 12BE17QZENAIRE1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 20% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    20% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.08 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    16.5score / 100Heating 28 · Cooling 5

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.

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