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Nortek Global HVAC vs ZERO: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Nortek Global HVAC model beats 31% and a typical ZERO model 53%. ZERO rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Nortek Global HVAC

31%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

109 models listed

ZERO

53%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

119 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°FNortek Global HVAC: Beats 23%ZERO: Beats 45%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FNortek Global HVAC: Beats 28%ZERO: Beats 52%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Nortek Global HVAC: Beats 28%ZERO: Beats 57%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Nortek Global HVAC: Beats 32%ZERO: Beats 58%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Nortek Global HVAC: Beats 42%ZERO: Beats 48%

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

    Nortek Global HVAC
    28%
    ZERO
    71%
  • Xcel CC

    Nortek Global HVAC
    20%
    ZERO
    65%
  • CEE Advanced

    Nortek Global HVAC
    2%
    ZERO
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Nortek Global HVAC
    11%
    ZERO
    53%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Nortek Global HVAC

  1. 1DXH30FMK3IHNortek Global HVAC (sold as Gibson)2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    61.6score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 75
  2. 2DXH36FMK3IHNortek Global HVAC (sold as Gibson)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 52.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    59.0score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 66
  3. 3SH4BF5M2SX36Kwith ducted air handler B65VMMX3648K-CNortek Global HVAC (sold as Nortek Global Hvac Llc)Also sold as Frigidaire FSH4BF5M2SX36K, Maytag PSH4BF5M2SX36K3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 52% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    52% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.75 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    16.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    39.5score / 100Heating 27 · Cooling 52

ZERO

  1. 1Z4SOV-36HDMB-USHHZERO3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2Z4SOV-27HDMB-USHHZERO2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets 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)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 82
  3. 3Z3SOV-27HDTB-USZERO2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 49.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    69.9score / 100Heating 50 · Cooling 90

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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