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.

ACD and NOVAIR 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, NOVAIR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

ACD
NOVAIR
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	ACD	NOVAIR
Efficiency index	51%median —	63%median —
COP at 5°F	36%median 1.82	48%median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F	69% (higher)median 78%	64% (higher)median 82%
HSPF2	47%median 9.0	73%median 9.8
SEER2	53%median 20.0	69%median 21.5
EER2	51%median 12.0	60%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	67%median 21,600 Btu/h	67%median 20,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	25	25
AHRI certifications	51	53

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	ACD	NOVAIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	88%22 models	88%22 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	84%21 models	84%21 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	88%22 models	80%20 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	72%18 models	80%20 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 · 7 groups where both have models

ACD
NOVAIR
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	ACD	NOVAIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 31%	4 · index 57%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 53%	1 · index 51%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	3 · index 52%	7 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 63%	2 · index 53%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	11 · index 51%	12 · index 62%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	5 · index 54%	2 · index 81%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 54%	5 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 19%	None

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	ACDCold-climate score, best model	NOVAIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	35.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPD18KCH21SB-O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 210534132	63.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA18-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA-18/24-ACOIL-410A4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 214867643
Ducted, 2 tons	50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPD24KCH21SB-O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 210534133	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA24-EVOX-30-I1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 211253513
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	55.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)FXD-ACD36with ducted air handler AH2364 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 207497902	78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 214867644
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	58.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)FXD-ACD60with ducted air handler AH2481 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207497903	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA48-EVOX-30-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211253514
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)UHD09KCH38SB-Owith ductless indoor unit UHD09KCH38SB-I10 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 202409832	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA09SZ25SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA06UUSK-I9 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 211709681
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPD24KCH21SB-O4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 210534128	84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24SZ35SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA24UUSK-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211709685
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPD42KCH21SB-O6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 210534131	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-O*4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212920682
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	31.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUD42KCH23S-O1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 206428587	No models in this size class

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	ACDAll-around score, best model	NOVAIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPD18KCH21SB-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210534132	63.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA18-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA18-EVOX-30-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211253511
Ducted, 2 tons	60.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)FXD-ACD36with ducted air handler AH2242 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207497901	65.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA24-EVOX-30-I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211253513
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	53.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPD30KCH21SB-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210534134	74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA28MZ-3P-35SK-O7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209416882
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	63.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)FXD-ACD60with ducted air handler AH2481 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207497903	53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA60-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA60-EVOX-30-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211253512
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	88.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)UHD09KCH38SB-Owith ductless indoor unit UHD09KCH38SB-I11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 202409832	92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA09SZ25SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA06UUSK-I12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211709681
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)UHD24KCH22S-Owith ductless indoor unit UHD24KCH22S-I5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 202132789	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24SZ35SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA24UUSK-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211709685
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPD42KCH21SB-O6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210534131	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-O*5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212920682
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	18.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MUD42KCH23S-O1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206428587	No models in this size class

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	ACD	NOVAIR
COP at 5°F	beats 89% · 2.21MPD18KCH21SB-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 2.39LEA12SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 144%UHD09KCH38SB-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 92% · 107%LEA09SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 88% · 11.0UHD09KCH38SB-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 13.6LEA09SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 95% · 27.0UHD09KCH38SB-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 28.1LEA09SZ35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 99% · 16.6UHD09KCH38SB-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 16.2LEA09SZ35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 99% · 21,800 Btu/hMUD18KCH23S-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hLEA20MZ-2P-35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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ACD vs NOVAIR heat pumps