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      3.5-ton central heat pump · IDS Light-LGWP

      Bosch BOVB-60RTB-M15S

      Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #35 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,429 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      17.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 49%
      HSPF2
      8.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 38%
      EER2
      11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 43%
      Heat at 5°F
      39,500 BTU/h71% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 20%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 39,500 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
      • You want a choice of indoor units - 20 certified pairings.

      Think twice if…

      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications3.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandBosch
      Outdoor unit modelBOVB-60RTB-M15S
      SeriesIDS Light-LGWP
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableYes
      On the market sinceOctober 1, 2025
      Last certifiedSeptember 22, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better17.0 (range 16.0-17.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0-11.7
      Cooling capacity34,200-55,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.5
      Capacity at 47°F34,200-56,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F33,000-40,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F31,000-39,500 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder71% kept at 5°F

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

      Certified matchups20 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.
      BIVB-48RCB-M20X · cold climate-17.011.78.533,600217895320
      BIVB-36RCB-M20X · cold climate-17.011.78.534,200217895321
      BIVA-48RCB-M20X · cold climate-17.011.78.533,600217895368
      BIVA-36RCB-M20X · cold climate-17.011.78.534,200217895369
      BIVB-60RCB-M20X · cold climate-16.510.08.539,500217895355
      BIVA-60RCB-M20X · cold climate-16.510.08.539,500217895373
      BMAC4248BBTA · cold climateBGH96M080B3C16.010.58.531,000217895261
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGH96M080C4C16.010.58.531,600217895262
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGH96M100C5C16.010.58.533,000217895263
      BMAC4248DBTA · cold climateBGH96M100D5C16.010.58.533,000217895264
      BMAC4248DBTA · cold climateBGH96M120D5C16.010.58.533,000217895265
      BMAC4248BBTA · cold climateBGH97M080B3A16.010.58.531,000217895322
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGH97M080C4A16.010.58.531,600217895323
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGH97M100C5A16.010.58.533,000217895324
      BMAC4248DBTA · cold climateBGH97M100D5A16.010.58.533,000217895325
      BMAC4248DBTA · cold climateBGH97M120D5A16.010.58.533,000217895326
      BMAC4248BBTA+BMXFBCTA · cold climate-16.010.58.531,000217895410
      BMAC4248CBTA+BMXFCCTA · cold climate-16.010.58.533,000217895411
      BMAC4248DBTA+BMXFDCTA · cold climate-16.010.58.533,000217895412
      BMAC4248CBTA · cold climateBGK80A080C4A16.010.58.532,200218787869
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,233-$3,454

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Bosch BOVB-60RTB-M15S?
      The Bosch BOVB-60RTB-M15S is rated at up to 17.0 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 20 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-17.0.
      Is the Bosch BOVB-60RTB-M15S good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 39,500 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Bosch BOVB-60RTB-M15S cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,233-$3,454 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,541 in Phoenix and $2,902 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      Which indoor units work with the Bosch BOVB-60RTB-M15S?
      ENERGY STAR lists 20 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use BIVB-48RCB-M20X, BIVB-36RCB-M20X, BIVA-48RCB-M20X.
      What refrigerant does the Bosch BOVB-60RTB-M15S 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 $1,541/yrYou save $795/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 BOVB-60RTB-M15S
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,541
      Current system, per year
      $2,335
      You save per year
      $795
      Payback
      20.8 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$8,553

      Cooling $921Heating $619Electricity used: 9,629 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $257

      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 September 22, 2026. How we use the data.