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.

NOVAIR and Nutech 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.

NOVAIR
Nutech
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	NOVAIR	Nutech
Efficiency index	63% (higher)median —	51% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	48% (higher)median 1.91	37% (higher)median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F	64% (higher)median 82%	42% (higher)median 65%
HSPF2	73% (higher)median 9.8	63% (higher)median 9.3
SEER2	69% (higher)median 21.5	68% (higher)median 19.5
EER2	60% (higher)median 12.5	42% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	67% (higher)median 20,000 Btu/h	45% (higher)median 21,400 Btu/h
Outdoor models	25	25
AHRI certifications	53	51

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	NOVAIR	Nutech
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	88%22 models	64%16 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	84%21 models	48%12 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	80%20 models	32%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	80%20 models	0%0 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

NOVAIR
Nutech
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	NOVAIR	Nutech
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	4 · index 57%	4 · index 52%
Ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 51%	2 · index 69%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 64%	7 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 53%	6 · index 55%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	1 · index 42%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	12 · index 62%	4 · index 42%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 81%	1 · index 27%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	5 · index 68%	5 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	4 · index 44%

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	NOVAIRCold-climate score, best model	NutechCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	63.7(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	65.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NOX330-12HFN1-MW5Wwith ducted air handler NTIU-12HWFN1-M3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212941749
Ducted, 2 tons	66.5(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	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NOD30-24HFN1-MU0Wwith ducted air handler NTIU-24HWFN1-M2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212941751
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36-EVOX-30-Owith ducted air handler LEA-30/36-ACOIL-410A6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 214867644	57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)N3OJ-27HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-27HFN1-M2 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 212941759
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	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	None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA09SZ25SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA06UUSK-I9 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 211709681	56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)NU9WKU1with ductless indoor unit NU9WKU11 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212941744
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)LEA24SZ35SK-Owith ductless indoor unit 2LEA24UUSK-I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211709685	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-O*4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212920682	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)N3OJ-27HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-27HFN1-M2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 212941758
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)

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	NOVAIRAll-around score, best model	NutechAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	63.4(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	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NOX330-12HFN1-MW5Wwith ducted air handler NTIU-12HWFN1-M4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941749
Ducted, 2 tons	65.8(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	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NOD30-24HFN1-MU0Wwith ducted air handler NTIU-24HWFN1-M2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941751
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA28MZ-3P-35SK-O7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209416882	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)N3OJ-27HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-27HFN1-M7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941759
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	53.3(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	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)N5OG-48HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-48HFN1-M6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941765
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)NOE30U-60HFN1-MR0with ducted air handler NVC-60HWFN11 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941774
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	92.0(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	54.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)NU9WKU1with ductless indoor unit NU9WKU14 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941744
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.3(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	27.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)NU24WKU1with ductless indoor unit NU24WKU11 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941747
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-O*5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212920682	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)N3OJ-27HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-27HFN1-M5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941758
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)N5OG-48HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-48HFN1-M4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212941764

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	NOVAIR	Nutech
COP at 5°F	beats 97% · 2.39LEA12SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 87% · 2.01NU36WKU1Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 92% · 107%LEA09SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 92% · 108%NOD30-24HFN1-MU0WDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 98% · 13.6LEA09SZ25SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 9.7N5OG-48HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-48HFN1-MDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 98% · 28.1LEA09SZ35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 21.0N3OJ-27HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-27HFN1-MDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 98% · 16.2LEA09SZ35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 75% · 12.2N3OJ-27HFN1-MAlso listed as N2OA-27HFN1-MNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 96% · 20,000 Btu/hLEA20MZ-2P-35SK-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 93% · 27,000 Btu/hNOD30-24HFN1-MU0WDucted, 2 tons

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NOVAIR vs Nutech heat pumps