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NOVA heat pump efficiency: 5 outdoor models compared

NOVA has 5 heat pump outdoor models certified with this refrigerant group, in 5 AHRI-certified combinations. Each model is compared with models of the same size and duct type, so the scores below do not depend on which sizes NOVA makes. NOVA has no QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file, so it is not ranked against other manufacturers.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

ManufacturerData as of updated · sources

Outdoor models
5
AHRI certifications
5
Efficiency index
56%
Typical model vs same-size, same-type peers (5 models)
Meet CEE 2025
100%
5 models

How NOVA compares with comparable models

For each rating: the share of same-size, same-type models that a typical model of this manufacturer beats (50% is typical), its rank, and the raw median for context. Raw medians are not comparable across manufacturers that make different sizes.
NOVA against every ranked manufacturerPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: each ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of NOVA’s own modelsNOVA is strongest on SEER2 (its typical model beats 76% of comparable models) and weakest on capacity retention at 5°F (34%).
  • NOVA
  • Middle half of its models
  • Other ranked manufacturers
NOVA

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile of NOVA’s models
RatingBeats comparable modelsRankRaw median
Efficiency index5 models scored56%Not ranked—
COP at 5°F5 models scored48%Not ranked2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F5 models scored34%Not ranked72%
HSPF25 models scored62%Not ranked10.0
SEER25 models scored76%Not ranked23.0
EER25 models scored51%Not ranked12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F5 models scored38%Not ranked19,800 Btu/h

Standards met

Share of NOVA’s models with at least one qualifying certification
StandardShareModels
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%5
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%5
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%5
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate100%5

Sizes and duct types offered

Models per peer group, and how they score against the other models of that group.
NOVA’s models inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · blue: the middle half of this manufacturer’s models there, median dot, 10th–90th percentile line
  • NOVA (median, middle 50%, 10th–90th)
  • All models of the group
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Share of comparable models beaten, per peer group
Size and duct typeModelsIndexCOP@5°FHSPF2SEER2
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons260%48%66%74%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons258%53%70%79%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons142%37%40%73%

Every NOVA model in the market

NOVA’s 5 models with a known size and duct type, over the shape of the whole catalog.
NOVA models by size and ratingColoured: NOVA · grey shapes: all 14,508 models · lines: catalog medians by size
  • NOVA models
  • Ducted median by size
  • Non-ducted median by size
  • Every model at each size (width = count)
  • Standard threshold

Dots: 5 nova models, each through its representative certification, in the colour of the rating shown. The grey shapes count all 14,508 models, half a ton at a time.
Show the data as a table
COP at 5°F by size and duct type (every model, by rated cooling capacity)
Duct type, sizeModels10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
Ducted, 0.5 tons8261.641.711.751.852.24
Ducted, 1 ton4071.801.902.052.412.45
Ducted, 1.5 tons9921.751.862.002.172.40
Ducted, 2 tons9991.751.862.002.182.30
Ducted, 2.5 tons1,0401.701.802.002.102.36
Ducted, 3 tons6961.801.902.002.102.42
Ducted, 3.5 tons8641.701.802.002.102.46
Ducted, 4 tons7271.801.862.002.122.40
Ducted, 4.5 tons6901.701.801.902.102.20
Ducted, 5 tons861.892.002.102.102.10
Non-ducted, 0.5 tons1,1861.751.801.902.002.22
Non-ducted, 1 ton1,3431.801.801.992.102.21
Non-ducted, 1.5 tons1,2611.801.802.002.102.31
Non-ducted, 2 tons7611.801.982.002.102.30
Non-ducted, 2.5 tons4031.801.852.002.002.10
Non-ducted, 3 tons4731.901.982.002.032.20
Non-ducted, 3.5 tons2802.002.002.002.052.10
Non-ducted, 4 tons2041.962.002.052.102.11
Non-ducted, 4.5 tons781.901.911.952.012.01
Non-ducted, 5 tons841.992.002.052.202.20

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Top NOVA models

Its top five cold-climate picks and its top five all-around models across sizes (both scores compare each model with models of its own size and duct type, so sizes compare), then, on each single rating, the model that beats the largest share of comparable models.

Cold-climate picks

Top 5 NOVA cold-climate picks across sizes. 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.
# · Outdoor modelSize · typeCap. 5/47COP@5°FHSPF2Btu/h @5°FSEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.Compared withScore
1NOVA-HE12-EXTNOVA · T-Prowith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE12-INT1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.09,10024.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731075Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons59.5
2NOVA-MULTI27M3NOVA · T-Pro2.5 tons27,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted71%2.0010.519,80024.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731073Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons57.5
3NOVA-MULTI36M4NOVA · T-Pro3 tons35,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.0010.026,00022.5CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731074Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons52.5
4NOVA-HE18-EXTNOVA · T-Prowith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE18-INT1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%1.8010.013,60023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731076Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons38.9
5NOVA-MULTI42M5NOVA · T-Pro3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted71%2.0010.030,00022.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731077Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons31.2

All-around best

Top 5 NOVA models on the all-around score across sizes. 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.
# · Outdoor modelSize · typeCap. 5/47COP@5°FHSPF2SEER2EER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.Compared withScoreHeating halfCooling halfCold-climate score
1NOVA-HE12-EXTNOVA · T-Prowith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE12-INT1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.1010.024.013.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731075Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons67.759.575.859.5
2NOVA-MULTI27M3NOVA · T-Pro2.5 tons27,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted71%2.0010.524.012.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731073Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons65.157.572.657.5
3NOVA-HE18-EXTNOVA · T-Prowith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE18-INT1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%1.8010.023.012.5CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731076Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons51.438.963.838.9
4NOVA-MULTI36M4NOVA · T-Pro3 tons35,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted72%2.0010.022.511.1CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731074Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons51.152.549.752.5
5NOVA-MULTI42M5NOVA · T-Pro3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted71%2.0010.022.011.2CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731077Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons42.431.253.731.2

Best model on each rating

NOVA’s model with the highest peer percentile on each rating, ranked by that one rating only
RatingModelValueCompared withBeatsAHRI ref.
COP at 5°FNOVA-HE12-EXT2.10Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons77%217731075
Capacity retention at 5°FNOVA-MULTI36M472%Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons42%217731074
HSPF2NOVA-MULTI27M310.5Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons80%217731073
SEER2NOVA-MULTI27M324.0Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons91%217731073
EER2NOVA-HE12-EXT13.0Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons70%217731075
Heating capacity at 5°FNOVA-HE18-EXT13,600 Btu/hNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons79%217731076

All 5 NOVA models in Explore

NOVA size class by size class: cold-climate and all-around

Its best model on each board in every size and duct type it makes. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there). Cold-climate picks must keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F; the all-around score needs all five ratings and has no such bar.
NOVA: best cold-climate pick and best all-around model per size and duct type, with how many of its models are on each board (top 5 and 5 per class are in the snapshot)
Size and duct typeCold-climate pickCold-climate score, best modelAll-around bestAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons59.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-HE12-EXTwith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE12-INT2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21773107567.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-HE12-EXTwith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE12-INT2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217731075
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-MULTI27M32 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21773107365.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-MULTI27M32 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217731073
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-MULTI42M51 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21773107742.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-MULTI42M51 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217731077

All-around board, every manufacturer

Newest NOVA certifications

By AHRI reference number; AHRI issues references in increasing order.
The 5 most recently certified NOVA outdoor models
Outdoor modelSize · typeCOP@5°FCap. 5/47HSPF2SEER2MeetsCombosAHRI ref.
NOVA-MULTI42M5NOVA · T-Pro3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.0071%10.022.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731077
NOVA-HE18-EXTNOVA · T-Prowith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE18-INT1.5 tons18,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted1.8072%10.023.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731076
NOVA-HE12-EXTNOVA · T-Prowith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE12-INT1 ton12,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.1072%10.024.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731075
NOVA-MULTI36M4NOVA · T-Pro3 tons35,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.0072%10.022.5CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731074
NOVA-MULTI27M3NOVA · T-Pro2.5 tons27,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted2.0071%10.524.0CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC1217731073

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NOVA includes these brand names as listed in AHRI: NOVA. Standards are checked against published thresholds; program rules beyond ratings are not checked.