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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 average

40 models listed

NOVAIR

76%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

42 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°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

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

    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, ductless 2 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CLASSIC

  1. 1GMRSHC24AS3CLASSIC2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 67.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.3 (EER2)
    Great
    67.6score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 68
  2. 2GRH32IC24ASwith ductless indoor unit GWH32IC24SCLASSIC2 tons · 22,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 63% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    64% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.7 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    53.8score / 100Heating 31 · Cooling 77
  3. 3TSZRHC24ASwith ductless indoor unit TUMHC24SCLASSIC2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 37.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (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)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    35.1score / 100Heating 37 · Cooling 33

NOVAIR

  1. 1LEA24SZ26-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA24USK-INOVAIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 84.5Meets 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
    2.54 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    86.8score / 100Heating 85 · Cooling 89
  2. 2LEA24SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA24USK-INOVAIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.34 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    76.4score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 65
  3. 3LEA24SZ-454-Owith ductless indoor unit LEA24SZ-454-INOVAIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    93% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    56.1score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 54

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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