3.5-ton central heat pump · CAHB Series
Capella CCB1-H48A-O
Average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #51 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,372 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 16.5 Cooling efficiency over a seasonAverage · beats 40%
- HSPF2
- 9.5 Heating efficiency over a seasonVery good · beats 70%
- EER2
- 10.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayBelow average · beats 17%
- Heat at 5°F
- 46,000 BTU/h92% of its 47°F outputBelow average · beats 20%
A good fit if…
- Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 46,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
- It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 70% of central heat pumps.
- You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
Think twice if…
- Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Capella |
| Also sold as | Stelpro |
| Outdoor unit model | CCB1-H48A-O |
| Series | CAHB Series |
| Type | Central heat pump |
| Nominal size | 3.5 ton |
| CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power | Continuously variable |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Connected (smart) capable | No |
| On the market since | October 15, 2024 |
| Last certified | September 30, 2026 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 16.5 (range 15.2-16.5) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 9.8-10.5 |
| Cooling capacity | 45,000-48,000 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 8.5-9.5 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 46,000-50,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 33,000-39,500 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 41,000-46,000 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 1.75-1.90 |
| ENERGY STAR cold climate | Yes |
Heating output as it gets colder
Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CAHB1-H48A-I at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:
Certified matchups
The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.
| Indoor unit | Furnace | SEER2 | EER2 | HSPF2 | Heat @5°F | AHRI ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAHB1-H48A-I · cold climate | - | 16.5 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 46,000 | 216027665 |
| CMCB1-H60A2128-I · cold climate | - | 15.2 | 10.0 | 8.8 | 42,000 | 216684132 |
| CMCB1-H60A2128-I · cold climate | C120-M-V | 15.2 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 41,000 | 217618165 |
Same unit, other model numbers
These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Capella CCB1-H48A-O: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.
- Stelpro SDB1-H48A-O
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$1,551/yr
- Miami, FL$1,279/yr
- Houston, TX$1,389/yr
- Atlanta, GA$1,372/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$1,327/yr
- New York, NY$3,237/yr
- Chicago, IL$2,620/yr
- Denver, CO$2,172/yr
- Seattle, WA$1,329/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$2,685/yr
At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.
Questions
- What is the SEER2 rating of the Capella CCB1-H48A-O?
- The Capella CCB1-H48A-O is rated at up to 16.5 SEER2 and 10.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.5.
- Is the Capella CCB1-H48A-O good for cold climates?
- Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 46,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
- How much does the Capella CCB1-H48A-O cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,279-$3,237 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,551 in Phoenix and $2,685 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
- Is the Capella CCB1-H48A-O the same as the Stelpro SDB1-H48A-O?
- Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
- Which indoor units work with the Capella CCB1-H48A-O?
- ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CAHB1-H48A-I, CMCB1-H60A2128-I.
- What refrigerant does the Capella CCB1-H48A-O use?
- It uses R-454B.
Running cost and savings
Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.
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See all 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of September 30, 2026. How we use the data.