What is the SEER2 rating of the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S?

The Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 40 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-20.0.

Is the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 24,400 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $773-$2,233 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $976 in Phoenix and $1,883 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Is the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S the same as the Bosch BOVB-36RTB-M20S?

Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists 4 model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.

Which indoor units work with the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S?

ENERGY STAR lists 40 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use BIVA-24RCB-M20X, BIVB-24RCB-M20X, BIVA-36RCB-M20X.

2.5-ton central heat pump · IDS Premium LGWP

Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S

Excellent cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #9 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $918 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 94%
HSPF2: 9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 70%
EER2: 13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 89%
Heat at 5°F: 24,400 BTU/h73% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 39%

A good fit if…

You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 94% of central heat pumps.
Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 24,400 BTU/h at 5°F.
It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 70% of central heat pumps.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

Think twice if…

Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications2.5 ton, R-454B

General
Brand	Bosch
Also sold as	Midea
Outdoor unit model	BOVA-36RTB-M20S
Series	IDS Premium LGWP
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	2.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	May 23, 2024
Last certified	April 22, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	20.0 (range 15.2-20.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	10.6-13.0
Cooling capacity	23,000-34,200 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.0-9.5
Capacity at 47°F	24,000-34,200 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	19,400-28,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	16,800-24,400 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.85-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder73% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with BIVA-24RCB-M20X at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups40 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unit	Furnace	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
BIVA-24RCB-M20X · cold climate	-	20.0	13.0	9.5	17,400	214771710
BIVB-24RCB-M20X · cold climate	-	20.0	13.0	9.5	17,400	217895243
BIVA-36RCB-M20X · cold climate	-	19.0	12.0	9.5	24,400	214771711
BIVB-36RCB-M20X · cold climate	-	19.0	12.0	9.5	24,400	217895245
BMAC2430BBTA · cold climate	BGH96M060B3C	18.5	12.0	9.0	17,200	214771714
BMAC2430BBTA · cold climate	BGH96M080B3C	18.5	12.0	9.0	17,200	214771715
BMAC2430BBTA · cold climate	BGH97M060B3A	18.5	12.0	9.0	17,200	217895225
BMAC2430BBTA · cold climate	BGH97M080B3A	18.5	12.0	9.0	17,200	217895226
BMAC2430BBTA+BMXFBCTA · cold climate	-	18.5	12.0	9.0	17,200	217895378
BMAC2430ABTA · cold climate	BGH96M060B3C	18.0	11.7	9.0	16,800	214771712
BMAC2430ABTA · cold climate	BGH96M080B3C	18.0	11.7	9.0	16,800	214771713
BMAC4248BBTA · cold climate	BGH96M080B3C	18.0	11.0	9.0	24,000	214771722
BMAC4248CBTA · cold climate	BGH96M100C5C	18.0	11.7	9.0	24,200	214771723
BMAC2430ABTA · cold climate	BGH97M060B3A	18.0	11.7	9.0	16,800	217895223
BMAC2430ABTA · cold climate	BGH97M080B3A	18.0	11.7	9.0	16,800	217895224
BMAC4248BBTA · cold climate	BGH97M080B3A	18.0	11.0	9.0	24,000	217895233
BMAC4248CBTA · cold climate	BGH97M100C5A	18.0	11.7	9.0	24,200	217895234
BMAC2430ABTA+BMXFACTA · cold climate	-	18.0	12.0	9.0	16,800	217895377
BMAC3036BBTA · cold climate	BGH96M060B3C	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	214771718
BMAC3036BBTA · cold climate	BGH96M080B3C	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	214771719
BMAC3036CBTA · cold climate	BGH96M080C4C	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	214771720
BMAC3036CBTA · cold climate	BGH96M100C5C	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	214771721
BMAC3036BBTA · cold climate	BGH97M060B3A	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	217895229
BMAC3036BBTA · cold climate	BGH97M080B3A	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	217895230
BMAC3036CBTA · cold climate	BGH97M080C4A	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	217895231
BMAC3036CBTA · cold climate	BGH97M100C5A	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	217895232
BMAC4248BBTA+BMXFBCTA · cold climate	-	17.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	217895382
BMAC4248CBTA+BMXFCCTA · cold climate	-	17.5	11.7	9.0	24,200	217895383
BMAC3036ABTA · cold climate	BGH96M060B3C	17.0	10.6	9.0	23,800	214771716
BMAC3036ABTA · cold climate	BGH96M080B3C	17.0	10.6	9.0	23,800	214771717
BMAC3036ABTA · cold climate	BGH97M060B3A	17.0	10.6	9.0	23,800	217895227
BMAC3036ABTA · cold climate	BGH97M080B3A	17.0	10.6	9.0	23,800	217895228
BMAC3036BBTA+BMXFBCTA · cold climate	-	16.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	217895380
BMAC3036CBTA+BMXFCCTA · cold climate	-	16.5	11.0	9.0	24,000	217895381
BMAC3036ABTA+BMXFACTA · cold climate	-	16.0	10.6	9.0	23,800	217895379
BMAC2430ABTA · cold climate	-	15.2	11.7	9.0	16,800	214771724
BMAC2430BBTA · cold climate	-	15.2	12.0	9.0	16,800	214771725
BMAC4248BBTA · cold climate	-	15.2	11.0	9.0	23,800	214771729
BMAC4248CBTA · cold climate	-	15.2	11.0	9.0	24,000	214771730
BMAC4248DBTA · cold climate	-	15.2	11.0	9.0	24,000	214771731

Same unit, other model numbers3

These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

Bosch BOVB-36RTB-M20S
Midea MOVB-36HDN10-M20G
Midea MOVD-36HDN10-M20G

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$773-$2,233

Phoenix, AZ$976/yr
Miami, FL$773/yr
Houston, TX$876/yr
Atlanta, GA$918/yr
Los Angeles, CA$900/yr
New York, NY$2,233/yr
Chicago, IL$1,821/yr
Denver, CO$1,520/yr
Seattle, WA$939/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,883/yr

At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.

Questions6

What is the SEER2 rating of the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S?: The Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 40 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-20.0.
Is the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 24,400 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $773-$2,233 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $976 in Phoenix and $1,883 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Is the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S the same as the Bosch BOVB-36RTB-M20S?: Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists 4 model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
Which indoor units work with the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S?: ENERGY STAR lists 40 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use BIVA-24RCB-M20X, BIVB-24RCB-M20X, BIVA-36RCB-M20X.
What refrigerant does the Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S use?: It uses R-454B.

Running cost and savings

Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.

Heat pump $980/yrYou save $734/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

Adjust heating and cooling hours

Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Bosch BOVA-36RTB-M20S

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $980
Current system, per year: $1,714
You save per year: $734
Payback: 17.0 years
Net after 10 years: -$5,163

Cooling $577Heating $403Electricity used: 6,128 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $338

Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

Similar 2.5 ton models

YISO YOHA2-36CB · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Luxaire XDV36E2D11 · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Friedrich RD18AY36AJVC · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
York YDV36E2D11 · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
ECOER EODA19H-2436AB · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Arcoaire D5CSHAH33AAK · cold climate19.6 SEER2 · 10.5 HSPF2
Midea MDV-V30WMN10T · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.1 HSPF2
Blueridge BXS5A33UC0 · cold climate19.5 SEER2 · 10.5 HSPF2

See all 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 22, 2026. How we use the data.