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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 up to 1.5 tons

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

Nortek Global HVAC

  1. 1DXH18FMK3IHNortek Global HVAC (sold as Gibson)1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 39.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.86 (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
    48.6score / 100Heating 39 · Cooling 58
  2. 2SH4BE5M1SP18Kwith indoor coil C75B(A,H)MX24C-A and furnace G7S(*)-(*)A(*)Nortek Global HVAC (sold as Nordyne)Also sold as Maytag CSH4BE5M1SP18K, Frigidaire FSH4BE5M1SP18K, Maytag PSH4BE5M1SP18K, Frigidaire WSH4BE5M1SP18K1.5 tons · 17,800 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 44% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    47% (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
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    14.3 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    20.3score / 100Heating 15 · Cooling 26

ZERO

  1. 1Z4SOV-18HDMB-USHHZERO1.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 84
  2. 2Z4SOV-18HDMB-USZEROAlso listed as Z3SOV-18HDMB-US1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.6Meets 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
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    74.1score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 76
  3. 3ZSOVA-18HDMB-USHHwith ducted air handler ZAVA-18HDMB-USZERO1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.4Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.7 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    71.8score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 73

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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