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AIR-CON vs NOVAIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, NOVAIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. AIR-CON has 41 outdoor models, NOVAIR has 42 outdoor models. AIR-CON and NOVAIR have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · 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.
AIR-CON 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 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIR-CON
  • NOVAIR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR-CONNOVAIR

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIR-CONNOVAIR
Efficiency index45%median —76%median —
COP at 5°F57%median 2.0059%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F33%median 70%75%median 96%
HSPF245%median 8.680%median 10.5
SEER242%median 17.083%median 24.0
EER239%median 11.481%median 13.0
Heating capacity at 5°F43%median 21,600 Btu/h71%median 20,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models4142
AHRI certifications64119

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR-CONNOVAIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)43.9%18 models97.6%41 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)36.6%15 models97.6%41 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models4.8%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)34.1%14 models100%42 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models4.8%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models100%42 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 · 8 groups where both have models
  • AIR-CON
  • NOVAIR
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeAIR-CONNOVAIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons3 · index 78%10 · index 77%
Ducted, 2 tons4 · index 71%2 · index 68%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons10 · index 55%4 · index 75%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons14 · index 57%4 · index 80%
Ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 68%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons7 · index 20%19 · index 78%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 31%3 · index 73%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 57%9 · index 78%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons4 · index 32%5 · index 68%

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 typeAIR-CONCold-climate score, best modelNOVAIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons69.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M181 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21729158193.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA06SZ36-Owith ducted air handler LEA06DUCT-I10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 217606302
Ducted, 2 tons68.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVPI7H4T243 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21864449075.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24CEN36-Owith ducted air handler LEA24HH-CEN-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218788024
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVPI7H4T362 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 21864449182.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ5P36-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217606266
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R60-S6 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 21765582282.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48MZ6P36-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217606269
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons68.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M181 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21729158096.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA06SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA06USK-I18 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 217606280
Non-ducted, 2 tons77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M24with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M241 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21729158489.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit LEA24CASS-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217606301
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons62.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M36with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M361 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 21729158678.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ5P36-O9 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 217606267
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons55.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M48with ductless indoor unit ASGEC8H4M481 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21729158973.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48MZ6P36-O5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217606270

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 typeAIR-CONAll-around score, best modelNOVAIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M181 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21729158195.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA06SZ36-Owith ducted air handler LEA06DUCT-I10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606302
Ducted, 2 tons73.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVPI7H4T242 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21864449071.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA24CEN36-Owith ducted air handler LEA24HH-CEN-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218788024
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons59.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AASDCI7H4R30with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R30-S6 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21765582483.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ5P36-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606266
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AASDCI7H4R60with ducted air handler AASDEM7H4R48-S8 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21765582583.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48MZ6P36-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606269
Ducted, 5 tons and up67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M60with ducted air handler ASGEK8H4M601 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291590No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons59.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M18with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M187 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21729158296.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA06SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA06USK-I18 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606280
Non-ducted, 2 tons69.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ASGCI8H4M24with ductless indoor unit ASGEL8H4M243 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21729158486.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24SZ26-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA24USK-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606297
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons69.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH7H6C36KN-AE2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21764303783.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA28MZ-4P-454-O*Also listed as LEA27-MZ-LCT- 454-O9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218372843
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH7H6C48KN-AE4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21764303875.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48MZ6P36-O5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606268

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
RatingAIR-CONNOVAIR
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.20CH7H6C48KN-AENon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 2.51LEA12SZ26-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 96% · 103%AVPI7H4T24Ducted, 2 tonsbeats 100% · 150%LEA06HH-SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 94% · 9.7ASGCI8H4M60Ducted, 5 tons and upbeats 100% · 15.6LEA06HH-SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 94% · 24.0CH7H6C48KN-AENon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 100% · 35.0LEA06HH-SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 97% · 14.0CH7H6C36KN-AENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 18.0LEA06SZ36-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 94% · 24,600 Btu/hAVPI7H4T24Ducted, 2 tonsbeats 99% · 22,600 Btu/hLEA18HH-SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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