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NOVAIR vs ZEPHYR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical NOVAIR model beats 63% and a typical ZEPHYR model 58%. NOVAIR rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

NOVAIR

63%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

25 models listed

ZEPHYR

58%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

25 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 48%ZEPHYR: Beats 40%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FNOVAIR: Beats 64%ZEPHYR: Beats 68%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2NOVAIR: Beats 73%ZEPHYR: Beats 43%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2NOVAIR: Beats 69%ZEPHYR: Beats 53%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2NOVAIR: Beats 60%ZEPHYR: Beats 52%

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
    88%
    ZEPHYR
    76%

  • Xcel CC

    NOVAIR
    80%
    ZEPHYR
    76%

  • CEE Advanced

    NOVAIR
    0%
    ZEPHYR
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    NOVAIR
    80%
    ZEPHYR
    36%

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), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

NOVAIR

  1. 1LEA28MZ-3P-35SK-ONOVAIR2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    74.6score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 83
  2. 2LEA27MZ-3P-25SK-ONOVAIR2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 57.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.83 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.5score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 86
  3. 3LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-ONOVAIRAlso listed as LEA36MZ-4P-35SK-O3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 63.7Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.70 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    71.2score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 79

ZEPHYR

  1. 1ZE-36HPBwith ducted air handler AH-36BZEPHYR3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 75.1Meets 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
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.1 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    63.2score / 100Heating 75 · Cooling 51

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.

Open the advanced view