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NOVAIR vs WHIRLPOOL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical NOVAIR model beats 76% and a typical WHIRLPOOL model 26%. NOVAIR rates higher overall.

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

NOVAIR

76%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

42 models listed

WHIRLPOOL

26%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

42 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°FNOVAIR: Beats 59%WHIRLPOOL: Beats 41%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FNOVAIR: Beats 75%WHIRLPOOL: Beats 21%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2NOVAIR: Beats 80%WHIRLPOOL: Beats 17%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2NOVAIR: Beats 83%WHIRLPOOL: Beats 17%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2NOVAIR: Beats 81%WHIRLPOOL: Beats 33%

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

    NOVAIR
    98%
    WHIRLPOOL
    2%

  • Xcel CC

    NOVAIR
    100%
    WHIRLPOOL
    5%

  • CEE Advanced

    NOVAIR
    5%
    WHIRLPOOL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    NOVAIR
    100%
    WHIRLPOOL
    0%

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.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

NOVAIR

  1. 1LEA36MZ5P36-ONOVAIR3 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. 2LEA30MZ4P36-ONOVAIR2.5 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. 3LEA30CEN36-Owith ducted air handler LEA30HH-CEN-INOVAIR2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.8 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.2 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    73.4score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 70

WHIRLPOOL

  1. 1WLP15AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler AE*S+DM36A3J+TDRWHIRLPOOL2.5 tons · 32,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.5Meets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    127% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.73 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    63.1score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 48
  2. 2WLP14AY36AJ2Nwith ducted air handler WLH2TY3621STANNWHIRLPOOL3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 65% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    52% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    45.6score / 100Heating 43 · Cooling 48
  3. 3WLP14AY30AJ2Nwith ducted air handler WLB2TY3621STANMWHIRLPOOL2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 58% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    46% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    7.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    15.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    36.8score / 100Heating 26 · Cooling 48

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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