HVAC Rated
    Menu

      2.5-ton central heat pump · NS16H Series

      GE NS16H30SA5-**A

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #132 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $902 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      16.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 26%
      HSPF2
      8.2 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 28%
      EER2
      13.4 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Excellent · beats 94%
      Heat at 5°F
      14,300 BTU/h50% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 65%

      A good fit if…

      • You want a choice of indoor units - 24 certified pairings.

      Think twice if…

      • You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
      • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for central heat pumps.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.
      • Comfort and noise matter - a single-stage compressor runs only full-on or off.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications2.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandGE
      Outdoor unit modelNS16H30SA5-**A
      SeriesNS16H Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size2.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerSingle stage
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceNovember 1, 2024
      Last certifiedJune 29, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.0 (range 15.2-16.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.4-13.4
      Cooling capacity28,800-29,600 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better7.8-8.2
      Capacity at 47°F26,600-28,200 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F16,800-18,300 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F12,600-14,300 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.92-2.12
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder50% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with NCU[C,U]36BT5*-**+TDR at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups24 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.
      NCU[C,U]36BT5*-**+TDRNF80U090S4B*16.013.47.813,400216497503
      NCU[C,U]36BT5*-**+TDRNF80L090S4B*16.013.47.813,400216497504
      NAM36V2TA5*--15.513.08.214,000216497465
      NAS36E1TB5S--15.512.88.113,600218471157
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF80U090T4B*15.512.87.813,500216497529
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF80U070S3B*15.512.87.813,400216497530
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF80L070S3B*15.512.87.813,400216497531
      NAM30V1TA5*--15.513.07.812,600216497462
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF80U090S4B*15.512.87.813,500216497532
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF80L090S4B*15.512.87.813,500216497533
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF97U045V3B*15.512.87.813,500216497536
      NAM30E1TA5*--15.512.87.812,700216497459
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF80U090V4B*15.512.87.813,500217052170
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF97U045T3B*15.512.87.813,400218159782
      NAM36V1TA5*--15.212.88.214,300216497463
      NAM36E1TA5*--15.213.08.214,300216497460
      NAM30V2TA5*--15.213.08.113,200216497464
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF80X080S4B*15.212.67.813,700216497526
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF95X060S3B*15.212.67.813,500216497528
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF96U070S3B*15.212.67.813,600216497535
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF80X080V4B*15.212.67.813,600216497537
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF97X060V3B*15.212.67.813,600216497539
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF98U070M3B*15.212.67.813,600216497540
      NCHC30BT5*-**+TDRNF97U070T3B*15.212.47.813,700218159783
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$861-$2,111

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the GE NS16H30SA5-**A?
      The GE NS16H30SA5-**A is rated at up to 16.0 SEER2 and 13.4 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.2 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 24 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.0.
      Is the GE NS16H30SA5-**A good for cold climates?
      It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 2.5-ton model.
      How much does the GE NS16H30SA5-**A cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $861-$2,111 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,035 in Phoenix and $1,744 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 GE NS16H30SA5-**A?
      ENERGY STAR lists 24 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use NCU[C,U]36BT5*-**+TDR, NAM36V2TA5*-, NAS36E1TB5S-.
      What refrigerant does the GE NS16H30SA5-**A 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 $1,013/yrYou save $461/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 GE NS16H30SA5-**A
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,013
      Current system, per year
      $1,473
      You save per year
      $461
      Payback
      23.9 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$6,395

      Cooling $647Heating $366Electricity used: 6,330 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $111

      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

      See all 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 29, 2026. How we use the data.