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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 2 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), 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 · DuctlessKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    67.5score / 100
  2. 2TSZRHC24ASwith ductless indoor unit TC4VHT24SCLASSIC2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 71% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    37.4score / 100
  3. 3GWHFR32C24Swith ductless indoor unit GRHFR32C24ASCLASSICAlso listed as GRHFR32C24AS2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    1.75 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    13.5score / 100

NOVAIR

  1. 1LEA24SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit LEA24CASS-INOVAIR2 tons · 23,400 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 95% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.23 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    89.4score / 100
  2. 2LEA24SZ26-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA24USK-INOVAIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 78% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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%
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    84.5score / 100
  3. 3LEA24SZ-454-Owith ductless indoor unit LEA24SZ-454-INOVAIR2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 93% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    58.0score / 100

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.

Open the advanced view