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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 3.5–4.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CLASSIC

  1. 1GMRSHC42AS5CLASSIC3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 66.5Meets 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    67.7score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 69
  2. 2TMRHC42AS5CLASSIC3.5 tons · 42,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 32.7Meets 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)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.2 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    49.3score / 100Heating 33 · Cooling 66

NOVAIR

  1. 1LEA48MZ6P36-ONOVAIR4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    75.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 79
  2. 2LEA48MZ-6P-454-O*NOVAIRAlso listed as LEA48-MZ-LCT- 454-O4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 48.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    70.2score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 92
  3. 3LEA48-MZ-LCT- 454-O*NOVAIR4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 42.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    67.4score / 100Heating 43 · Cooling 92

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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