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, ductless 2.5–3 tons
Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.
Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?
CLASSIC
- 1GMRSHC36AS4CLASSIC3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 77.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.10 (COP at 5°F)
- Great
- Winter efficiency
- 10.0 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 21.0 (SEER2)
- Below the middle
- Hot-day cooling
- 12.0 (EER2)
- Good
- 2TMRHC36AS4CLASSIC3 tons · 38,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 53.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 74% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Below the middle
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.0 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 23.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.2 (EER2)
- Below the middle
- 3TMRHC27AS3CLASSIC2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 55.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.0 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 22.0 (SEER2)
- Good
- Hot-day cooling
- 11.2 (EER2)
- Below the middle
NOVAIR
- 1LEA28MZ-4P-454-O*NOVAIRAlso listed as LEA27-MZ-LCT- 454-O2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Good
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.5 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 26.5 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 14.0 (EER2)
- Top 10%
- 2LEA36MZ5P36-ONOVAIR3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 78.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
- Heat kept at 5°F
- 100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
- Great
- Efficiency at 5°F
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.7 (HSPF2)
- Great
- Cooling efficiency
- 23.0 (SEER2)
- Great
- Hot-day cooling
- 13.0 (EER2)
- Great
- 3LEA36MZ-5P-454-O*NOVAIRAlso listed as LEA36-MZ-LCT- 454-O3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.7Meets 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
- 2.00 (COP at 5°F)
- Good
- Winter efficiency
- 10.0 (HSPF2)
- Good
- Cooling efficiency
- 25.0 (SEER2)
- Top 10%
- Hot-day cooling
- 13.6 (EER2)
- Top 10%
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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