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BRAVO vs NATIONAL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical BRAVO model beats 47% and a typical NATIONAL model 25%. BRAVO rates higher overall.

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

BRAVO

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

14 models listed

NATIONAL

25%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

13 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°FBRAVO: Beats 48%NATIONAL: Beats 35%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBRAVO: Beats 41%NATIONAL: Beats 16%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2BRAVO: Beats 53%NATIONAL: Beats 12%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2BRAVO: Beats 51%NATIONAL: Beats 5%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2BRAVO: Beats 44%NATIONAL: Beats 35%

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

    BRAVO
    57%
    NATIONAL
    0%

  • Xcel CC

    BRAVO
    57%
    NATIONAL
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    BRAVO
    0%
    NATIONAL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    BRAVO
    21%
    NATIONAL
    0%

All-around best, ducted up to 1.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

BRAVO

  1. 1BRV-M18-230VOBRAVO1.5 tons · 17,700 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.8 (EER2)
    Good
    61.1score / 100Heating 56 · Cooling 67

NATIONAL

  1. 1NHP5185000Awith ducted air handler L(E,F)W36CJNATIONAL1.5 tons · 17,300 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 58% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    58% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.03 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    7.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    13.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    29.7score / 100Heating 30 · Cooling 29
  2. 2FCH518***ANATIONAL1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 47% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    47% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.3 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    27.3score / 100Heating 9 · Cooling 45
  3. 3NHP5183000Awith ducted air handler L(E,F)W36CJNATIONAL1.5 tons · 17,300 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 59% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    59% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.07 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    6.9 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    12.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.4 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    24.4score / 100Heating 30 · Cooling 19

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