CONTINENTAL vs Zenaire heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, CONTINENTAL scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. CONTINENTAL has 12 outdoor models, Zenaire has 12 outdoor models. CONTINENTAL and Zenaire have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · sources

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 Zenaire 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, CONTINENTAL scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings.

CONTINENTAL
Zenaire
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	CONTINENTAL	Zenaire
Efficiency index	67%median —	—median —
COP at 5°F	47%median 1.83	—median —
Capacity retention at 5°F	74%median 88%	—median —
HSPF2	73% (higher)median 9.8	29% (higher)median 7.5
SEER2	72% (higher)median 21.3	30% (higher)median 14.3
EER2	68% (higher)median 12.5	52% (higher)median 11.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	72%median 22,000 Btu/h	—median —
Outdoor models	12	12
AHRI certifications	59	16

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	CONTINENTAL	Zenaire
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%12 models	0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%12 models	0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	100%12 models	0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	83.3%10 models	0%0 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 · 4 groups where both have models

CONTINENTAL
Zenaire
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	CONTINENTAL	Zenaire
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 50%	2 · index —
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	1 · index 74%	3 · index —
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 63%	5 · index —
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	1 · index —
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	4 · index 73%	None
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 76%	None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 67%	1 · index —

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	ZenaireCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	65.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-28-O3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 213386542	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	58.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)CS18HV48A60with ducted air handler CPFX48AAlso listed as WSEHV4860RA1-C2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 207335558	None on this board (0 of 5 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	77.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS22-12-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-12-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213386538	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26-24-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213386537	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-36-O2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 213386544	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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	ZenaireAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2 tons	60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CS18HV24A36with ducted air handler CPFX24AAlso listed as WSEHV2436RA1-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207335556	None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-28-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386542	None on this board (0 of 3 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CS18HV48A60with ducted air handler CPFX48AAlso listed as WSEHV4860RA1-C2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207335558	None on this board (0 of 5 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS22-18-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS22-18-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386540	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAS26-24-Owith ductless indoor unit CDHAS26-24-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386537	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CDHAM-36-O2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213386544	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)

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	Zenaire
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.22CDHAS22-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tons	—
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 89% · 99%CDHAM-36-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	—
HSPF2	beats 93% · 11.4CDHAS26-24-ONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 49% · 8.1AHP48B18RDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 92% · 20.0CDHAM-28-ODucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 65% · 16.0AHP48B18RDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 85% · 14.0CDHAS26-12-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 76% · 12.2AHP24B18RDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 94% · 36,600 Btu/hCDHAM-36-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	—

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