Skip to content
Rebate.Blue

CLASSIC vs NOVAIR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, NOVAIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. CLASSIC has 32 outdoor models, NOVAIR has 25 outdoor models. CLASSIC and NOVAIR have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →

CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
CLASSIC and NOVAIR on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, NOVAIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • CLASSIC
  • NOVAIR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CLASSICNOVAIR

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCLASSICNOVAIR
Efficiency index52%median —63%median —
COP at 5°F41%median 1.8048%median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F42%median 70%64%median 82%
HSPF251%median 9.073%median 9.8
SEER252%median 20.069%median 21.5
EER249%median 11.560%median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F45%median 13,000 Btu/h67%median 20,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models3225
AHRI certifications4853

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCLASSICNOVAIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)56.3%18 models88%22 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)56.3%18 models84%21 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)40.6%13 models80%20 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate12.5%4 models80%20 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 7 groups where both have models
  • CLASSIC
  • NOVAIR
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeCLASSICNOVAIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons3 · index 66%4 · index 57%
Ducted, 2 tons1 · index 85%1 · index 51%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons3 · index 57%7 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 54%2 · index 53%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons14 · index 46%12 · index 62%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 57%2 · index 81%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons12 · index 49%5 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 46%None

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeCLASSICCold-climate score, best modelNOVAIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons67.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC12ASwith ducted air handler MFCHC12S2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 20984300163.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA18-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA-18/24-ACOIL-410A4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 214867643
Ducted, 2 tons82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC24ASwith ducted air handler MFCHC24S1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 20984300366.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA24-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA24-EVOX-30-I1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 211253513
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA36-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 214867644
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA48-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA48-EVOX-30-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211253514
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC18AS29 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 20984303389.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA09SZ25SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA06UUSK-I9 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 211709681
Non-ducted, 2 tons74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MRSVHC24ASwith ductless indoor unit MUVHC24S2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 20984300884.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24SZ35SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA24UUSK-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211709685
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC27AS32 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 20984303679.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-O*4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212920682
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons56.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MRSVHC48ASwith ductless indoor unit MUVHC48S2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 209843010No models in this size class

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeCLASSICAll-around score, best modelNOVAIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC18ASwith ducted air handler MFCHC18S3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20984300263.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA18-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA18-EVOX-30-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211253511
Ducted, 2 tons84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MRSVHC24ASwith ducted air handler MFCHC24S1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20984300365.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA24-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA24-EVOX-30-I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211253513
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MMRSHC27AS33 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20984303774.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA28MZ-3P-35SK-O7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209416882
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MMRSHC48AS52 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20984304353.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA60-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA60-EVOX-30-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211253512
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MRSVHC12ASwith ductless indoor unit MC4VHC12S14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20984299692.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA09SZ25SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA06UUSK-I12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211709681
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MRSVHC24ASwith ductless indoor unit MUVHC24S2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20984300884.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24SZ35SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA24UUSK-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211709685
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC27AS36 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20984303682.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-O*5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212920682
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons51.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MMRSHC48AS52 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209843042No models in this size class

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingCLASSICNOVAIR
COP at 5°Fbeats 91% · 2.27MRSVHC12ASNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 2.39LEA12SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 59% · 68%MRSVHC48ASDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 92% · 107%LEA09SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 98% · 11.2MRSVHC24ASDucted, 2 tonsbeats 98% · 13.6LEA09SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 98% · 21.0MMRSHC27AS3Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 28.1LEA09SZ35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 85% · 12.5MRSVHC24ASDucted, 2 tonsbeats 98% · 16.2LEA09SZ35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 85% · 14,000 Btu/hMMRSHC18AS2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hLEA20MZ-2P-35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers