CLASSIC vs NOVAIR: heat pump ratings compared
Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CLASSIC model beats 41% and a typical NOVAIR model 76%. NOVAIR rates higher overall.
Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated
CLASSIC
41%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
Below average40 models listed
NOVAIR
76%
of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model
Well above average42 models listed
- Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FCLASSIC: Beats 37%NOVAIR: Beats 59%
- Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCLASSIC: Beats 43%NOVAIR: Beats 75%
- Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CLASSIC: Beats 37%NOVAIR: Beats 80%
- Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CLASSIC: Beats 45%NOVAIR: Beats 83%
- Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CLASSIC: Beats 40%NOVAIR: Beats 81%
Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison
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Rebate standards
CEE 2025
- CLASSIC
- 65%
- NOVAIR
- 98%
Xcel CC
- CLASSIC
- 65%
- NOVAIR
- 100%
CEE Advanced
- CLASSIC
- 3%
- NOVAIR
- 5%
ENERGY STAR CC
- CLASSIC
- 20%
- NOVAIR
- 100%
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?
CLASSIC
- 1TMRHC18AS2CLASSIC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 44.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Below the middle
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.90 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 9.5 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 22.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
- 2GMRSHC18AS2CLASSIC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 39.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.86 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 8.1 (HSPF2)
- Below the middle
- Cooling efficiency
- 18.0 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.7 (EER2)
- Good
NOVAIR
- 1LEA06SZ36-Owith ducted air handler LEA06DUCT-INOVAIR0.5 tons · 6,500 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 93.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.41 (COP at 5°F)
- Top 10%
- Winter efficiency
- 13.8 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 21.4 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 14.4 (EER2)
- Top 10%
- 2LEA09SZ36-Owith ducted air handler LEA09DUCT-INOVAIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 80.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 112% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Top 10%
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 1.89 (COP at 5°F)
- Below the middle
- Winter efficiency
- 12.5 (HSPF2)
- Top 10%
- Cooling efficiency
- 21.4 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 13.4 (EER2)
- Top 10%
- 3LEA18CEN36-Owith ducted air handler LEA18HH-CEN-INOVAIR1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 85.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 103% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Top 10%
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.12 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 10.1 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 19.0 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.5 (EER2)
- Great
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.
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