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      3.5-ton central heat pump · IDS Premium LGWP

      Bosch BOVA-60RTB-M20S

      Very good cooling and heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #21 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,291 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      18.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 77%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 70%
      EER2
      12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 64%
      Heat at 5°F
      38,500 BTU/h70% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 39%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 77% of central heat pumps.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 38,500 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

      Specifications3.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandBosch
      Also sold asMidea
      Outdoor unit modelBOVA-60RTB-M20S
      SeriesIDS Premium LGWP
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMay 23, 2024
      Last certifiedApril 22, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better18.5 (range 16.0-18.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.4-12.0
      Cooling capacity42,500-52,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.5-9.5
      Capacity at 47°F43,500-55,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F35,000-44,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F31,000-38,500 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-2.00
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder70% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with BIVA-48RCB-M20X at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups25 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 unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      BIVA-48RCB-M20X · cold climate-18.512.09.533,600214771732
      BIVB-48RCB-M20X · cold climate-18.512.09.533,600217895244
      BIVA-60RCB-M20X · cold climate-18.011.79.538,500214771733
      BIVB-60RCB-M20X · cold climate-18.011.79.538,500217895246
      BMAC4860DBTA · cold climateBGH96M100D5C18.011.78.537,800214771740
      BMAC4860DBTA · cold climateBGH96M120D5C18.011.78.537,800214771741
      BMAC4860DBTA · cold climateBGH97M120D5A18.011.78.537,800217895242
      BMAC4860DBTA+BMXFDCTA · cold climate-18.011.78.537,800217895388
      BMAC4860DBTA · cold climateBGH97M100D5A18.011.78.537,800217895241
      BMAC4860CBTA · cold climateBGH96M100C5C17.511.48.537,600214771739
      BMAC4860CBTA · cold climateBGH97M100C5A17.511.48.537,600217895240
      BMAC4860CBTA+BMXFCCTA · cold climate-17.511.48.537,600217895387
      BMAC4248DBTA · cold climateBGH96M120D5C17.011.79.033,000214771738
      BMAC4248DBTA · cold climateBGH97M120D5A17.011.79.033,000217895239
      BMAC4248DBTA · cold climateBGH96M100D5C16.511.79.033,000214771737
      BMAC4248DBTA · cold climateBGH97M100D5A16.511.79.033,000217895238
      BMAC4248DBTA+BMXFDCTA · cold climate-16.511.79.033,000217895386
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGH96M100C5C16.511.78.832,800214771736
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGH97M100C5A16.511.78.832,800217895237
      BMAC4248CBTA+BMXFCCTA · cold climate-16.511.78.832,800217895385
      BMAC4248BBTA · cold climateBGH96M080B3C16.011.78.831,000214771734
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGH96M080C4C16.011.78.831,400214771735
      BMAC4248BBTA · cold climateBGH97M080B3A16.011.78.831,000217895235
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGH97M080C4A16.011.78.831,400217895236
      BMAC4248BBTA+BMXFBCTA · cold climate-16.011.78.831,000217895384
      Same unit, other model numbers3

      These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Bosch BOVA-60RTB-M20S: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,132-$3,105

      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-60RTB-M20S?
      The Bosch BOVA-60RTB-M20S is rated at up to 18.5 SEER2 and 12.0 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 25 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-18.5.
      Is the Bosch BOVA-60RTB-M20S good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 38,500 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-60RTB-M20S cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,132-$3,105 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,406 in Phoenix and $2,603 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      Is the Bosch BOVA-60RTB-M20S the same as the Bosch BOVB-60RTB-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-60RTB-M20S?
      ENERGY STAR lists 25 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use BIVA-48RCB-M20X, BIVB-48RCB-M20X, BIVA-60RCB-M20X.
      What refrigerant does the Bosch BOVA-60RTB-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 $1,401/yrYou save $935/yrSee details ↓
      1. Where you live
      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.

      2. The heat pump Bosch BOVA-60RTB-M20S
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,401
      Current system, per year
      $2,335
      You save per year
      $935
      Payback
      17.7 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$7,154

      Cooling $847Heating $554Electricity used: 8,755 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $396

      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 3.5 ton models

      See all 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

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