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

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	CLASSIC	NOVAIR
Efficiency index	41%median —	76%median —
COP at 5°F	37%median 1.90	59%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	43%median 74%	75%median 96%
HSPF2	37%median 8.8	80%median 10.5
SEER2	45%median 19.0	83%median 24.0
EER2	40%median 11.2	81%median 13.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	47%median 11,750 Btu/h	71%median 20,200 Btu/h
Outdoor models	40	42
AHRI certifications	68	119

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	CLASSIC	NOVAIR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	65%26 models	97.6%41 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	65%26 models	97.6%41 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	2.5%1 models	4.8%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	65%26 models	100%42 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	2.5%1 models	4.8%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	20%8 models	100%42 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 · 8 groups where both have models

CLASSIC
NOVAIR
All models of the group

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	CLASSIC	NOVAIR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	2 · index 54%	10 · index 77%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 61%	2 · index 68%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 56%	4 · index 75%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index 70%	4 · index 80%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	23 · index 29%	19 · index 78%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	6 · index 35%	3 · index 73%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	5 · index 41%	9 · index 78%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 59%	5 · index 68%

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 type	CLASSICCold-climate score, best model	NOVAIRCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	44.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMRHC18AS22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218787831	93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA06SZ36-Owith ducted air handler LEA06DUCT-I10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 217606302
Ducted, 2 tons	60.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)OCV18HN024Awith ducted air handler OCA18C002AAlso listed as OCV18HN036A4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217747068	75.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24CEN36-Owith ducted air handler LEA24HH-CEN-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218788024
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	52.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC36AS42 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217284819	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ5P36-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217606266
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)OCV18HN048Awith ducted air handler OCA18C006AAlso listed as OCV18HN060A4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217747074	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48MZ6P36-O4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 217606269
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	61.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMRHC18AS216 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 218787827	96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA06SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA06USK-I18 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 217606280
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC24AS34 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217284804	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit LEA24CASS-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217606301
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC36AS44 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217284815	78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ5P36-O9 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 217606267
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC42AS52 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217284816	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48MZ6P36-O5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217606270

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 type	CLASSICAll-around score, best model	NOVAIRAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	60.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMRHC18AS22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787831	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA06SZ36-Owith ducted air handler LEA06DUCT-I10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606302
Ducted, 2 tons	68.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)OCV18HN024Awith ducted air handler OCA18C002AAlso listed as OCV18HN036A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747068	71.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24CEN36-Owith ducted air handler LEA24HH-CEN-I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218788024
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	59.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC36AS42 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217284819	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ5P36-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606266
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)OCV18HN048Awith ducted air handler OCA18C006AAlso listed as OCV18HN060A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217747074	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48MZ6P36-O4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606269
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	62.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMRHC18AS223 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218787827	96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA06SZ36-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA06USK-I18 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606280
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC24AS36 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217284804	86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA24SZ26-Owith ductless indoor unit 4LEA24USK-I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606297
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC36AS45 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217284815	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA28MZ-4P-454-O*Also listed as LEA27-MZ-LCT- 454-O9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218372843
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMRSHC42AS52 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217284816	75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA48MZ6P36-O5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606268

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
Rating	CLASSIC	NOVAIR
COP at 5°F	beats 88% · 2.10GMRSHC36AS4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 2.51LEA12SZ26-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 81% · 100%GMRSHC36AS4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 150%LEA06HH-SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 86% · 10.0TMRHC42AS5Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 15.6LEA06HH-SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 97% · 22.0TMRHC18AS2Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 35.0LEA06HH-SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 94% · 13.0GMRSHC42AS5Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 18.0LEA06SZ36-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 86% · 36,000 Btu/hGMRSHC36AS4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 22,600 Btu/hLEA18HH-SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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CLASSIC vs NOVAIR heat pumps