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B Air vs NOVA: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical B Air model beats 12% and a typical NOVA model 56%. NOVA rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

B Air

12%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

5 models listed

NOVA

56%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

5 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FB Air: Beats 18%NOVA: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FB Air: Beats 8%NOVA: Beats 34%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2B Air: Beats 25%NOVA: Beats 62%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2B Air: Beats 6%NOVA: Beats 76%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2B Air: Beats 9%NOVA: Beats 51%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    B Air
    0%
    NOVA
    100%

  • Xcel CC

    B Air
    0%
    NOVA
    100%

  • CEE Advanced

    B Air
    0%
    NOVA
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    B Air
    0%
    NOVA
    100%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

B Air

None of B Air’s ductless, 2.5–3 tons models qualifies.

NOVA

  1. 1NOVA-MULTI27M3NOVA2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    57.5score / 100
  2. 2NOVA-MULTI36M4NOVA3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    52.5score / 100

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

Open the advanced view