3-ton central heat pump · CAHB Series
Capella CCB1-H36A-O
Average cooling efficiency and excellent heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #131 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,017 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 17.4 Cooling efficiency over a seasonAverage · beats 55%
- HSPF2
- 10.3 Heating efficiency over a seasonExcellent · beats 92%
- EER2
- 11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayAverage · beats 43%
- Heat at 5°F
- 39,000 BTU/h105% 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 39,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
- It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 92% 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-H36A-O |
| Series | CAHB Series |
| Type | Central heat pump |
| Nominal size | 3 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 3, 2025 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 17.4 (range 15.2-17.4) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 10.5-11.7 |
| Cooling capacity | 35,000-36,000 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 8.8-10.3 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 36,000-38,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 28,000-31,800 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 33,000-39,000 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-H36A-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-H36A-I · cold climate | - | 17.4 | 11.7 | 10.3 | 39,000 | 216027664 |
| CACB1-H36A1724-I · cold climate | - | 15.8 | 10.7 | 9.4 | 36,000 | 216623797 |
| CACB1-H36A2124-I · cold climate | - | 15.8 | 10.7 | 9.4 | 36,000 | 216623798 |
| CACB1-H36A1724-I · cold climate | C60-2-V | 15.3 | 10.5 | 8.8 | 33,000 | 217618160 |
| CACB1-H36A2124-I · cold climate | C120-M-V | 15.2 | 10.6 | 9.3 | 34,000 | 217618163 |
| CACB1-H36A2124-I · cold climate | C105-M-V | 15.2 | 10.7 | 9.2 | 34,000 | 217618162 |
Same unit, other model numbers
These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Capella CCB1-H36A-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-H36A-O
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$1,166/yr
- Miami, FL$969/yr
- Houston, TX$1,044/yr
- Atlanta, GA$1,017/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$981/yr
- New York, NY$2,382/yr
- Chicago, IL$1,925/yr
- Denver, CO$1,593/yr
- Seattle, WA$973/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$1,968/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-H36A-O?
- The Capella CCB1-H36A-O is rated at up to 17.4 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-17.4.
- Is the Capella CCB1-H36A-O good for cold climates?
- Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 39,000 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-H36A-O cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $969-$2,382 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,166 in Phoenix and $1,968 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
- Is the Capella CCB1-H36A-O the same as the Stelpro SDB1-H36A-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-H36A-O?
- ENERGY STAR lists 6 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CAHB1-H36A-I, CACB1-H36A1724-I, CACB1-H36A2124-I.
- What refrigerant does the Capella CCB1-H36A-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 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of September 3, 2025. How we use the data.