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B Air vs NOVA heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, NOVA scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. B Air has 5 outdoor models, NOVA has 5 outdoor models. B Air and NOVA 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.
B Air and NOVA 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, NOVA scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • B Air
  • NOVA
  • Other ranked manufacturers
B AirNOVA

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingB AirNOVA
Efficiency index12%median —56%median —
COP at 5°F18%median 1.8048%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F8%median 58%34%median 72%
HSPF225%median 8.562%median 10.0
SEER26%median 17.076%median 23.0
EER29%median 9.551%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F20%median 9,500 Btu/h38%median 19,800 Btu/h
Outdoor models55
AHRI certifications55

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardB AirNOVA
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models100%5 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)0%0 models100%5 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)0%0 models100%5 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models100%5 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 · 2 groups where both have models
  • B Air
  • NOVA
  • All models of the group
Non-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 typeB AirNOVA
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons3 · index 13%2 · index 60%
Non-ducted, 2 tons1 · index 13%None
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1 · index 8%2 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone1 · index 42%

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 typeB AirCold-climate score, best modelNOVACold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)59.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-HE12-EXTwith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE12-INT2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217731075
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-MULTI27M32 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217731073
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOVA-MULTI42M51 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217731077

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 typeB AirAll-around score, best modelNOVAAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons22.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)BAM120HTICXwith ductless indoor unit BAM120HTICX3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21601070967.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NOVA-HE12-EXTwith ductless indoor unit NOVA-HE12-INT2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217731075
Non-ducted, 2 tons13.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)BAM241HTICXwith ductless indoor unit BAM241HTICX1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216010712No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons7.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)BAM361HTICXwith ductless indoor unit BAM361HTICX1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21601071365.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NOVA-MULTI27M32 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217731073
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class42.4(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

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
RatingB AirNOVA
COP at 5°Fbeats 42% · 1.90BAM120HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 77% · 2.10NOVA-HE12-EXTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 20% · 70%BAM120HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 42% · 72%NOVA-MULTI36M4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 45% · 9.5BAM120HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 80% · 10.5NOVA-MULTI27M3Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 8% · 17.0BAM120HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 24.0NOVA-MULTI27M3Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 13% · 9.5BAM361HTICXNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 70% · 13.0NOVA-HE12-EXTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 52% · 9,500 Btu/hBAM181HTICXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 79% · 13,600 Btu/hNOVA-HE18-EXTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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