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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

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

CLASSIC

  1. 1TMRHC18AS2CLASSIC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 61.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (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)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    62.1score / 100Heating 62 · Cooling 62
  2. 2TSZRHC09ASwith ductless indoor unit TC4VHT09SCLASSIC1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Good
    61.4score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 64
  3. 3GMRSHC18AS2CLASSIC1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 61.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (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
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    52.7score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 44

NOVAIR

  1. 1LEA06SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA06USK-INOVAIR0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 96.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    110% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.40 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    14.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    25.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    18.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    96.2score / 100Heating 97 · Cooling 96
  2. 2LEA06HH-SK-Owith ductless indoor unit LEA06HH-SK-INOVAIR0.5 tons · 6,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 87.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    150% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    15.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    35.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    17.4 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    93.4score / 100Heating 88 · Cooling 99
  3. 3LEA09SZ26-Owith ductless indoor unit LEA09CONSK-INOVAIR1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.5Meets 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
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    92.6score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 96

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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