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      3-ton central heat pump · NS16H Series

      GE NS16H36SA5-**A

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #257 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,180 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      16.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 26%
      HSPF2
      7.8 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 5%
      EER2
      13.4 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Excellent · beats 94%
      Heat at 5°F
      16,900 BTU/h48% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 51%

      A good fit if…

      • You want a choice of indoor units - 28 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

      Specifications3 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandGE
      Outdoor unit modelNS16H36SA5-**A
      SeriesNS16H Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerSingle stage
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceNovember 1, 2024
      Last certifiedMarch 26, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.0 (range 15.2-16.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.8-13.4
      Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better7.8
      Capacity at 47°F34,200-35,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F20,000-20,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F15,700-16,900 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90-2.06
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder48% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with NCHC42CT5*-**+TDR at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups28 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.
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF80U110T5C*16.013.47.816,500216497611
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF80U090S5C*16.013.47.816,600216497612
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF80U110T5C*16.013.47.816,500216497583
      NAM42V2TA5*--16.013.47.816,300216497775
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF80L110S5C*15.513.27.816,600216497614
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF97U110V5C*15.513.27.816,500216497617
      NCHC42BT5*-**+TDRNF80U090S4B*15.513.27.816,600216497600
      NCHC42BT5*-**+TDRNF80L090S4B*15.513.27.816,600216497601
      NCHC42BT5*-**+TDRNF80U090T4B*15.513.27.816,700216497597
      NCHC42BT5*-**+TDRNF80L070S3B*15.513.07.816,600216497599
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF80U090S5C*15.513.27.816,600216497584
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF80U110S5C*15.513.47.816,600216497585
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF80X100V5C*15.513.27.816,800216497589
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF98U110M5C*15.513.27.816,700216497594
      NCHC42BT5*-**+TDRNF80U070S3B*15.513.07.816,600216497598
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF80U110S5C*15.513.27.816,600216497613
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF96U090S4C*15.513.07.816,700216497615
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF80X100V5C*15.513.07.816,800216497618
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF98U110M5C*15.513.07.816,700216497624
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF97U090T4C*15.513.07.816,800218159785
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF97U090T4C*15.513.07.816,600218159784
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF80X100S5C*15.213.07.816,800216497580
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF95X100S5C*15.213.07.816,800216497582
      NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDRNF98U090M5C*15.213.07.816,900216497593
      NAM36E1TA5*--15.213.07.815,900216497577
      NAM36V1TA5*--15.213.07.815,700216497578
      NCHC42BT5*-**+TDRNF98U070M3B*15.213.07.816,800216497607
      NCHC42CT5*-**+TDRNF98U090M5C*15.212.87.816,900216497623
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,057-$2,820

      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 NS16H36SA5-**A?
      The GE NS16H36SA5-**A is rated at up to 16.0 SEER2 and 13.4 EER2 for cooling and up to 7.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 28 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.0.
      Is the GE NS16H36SA5-**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 3-ton model.
      How much does the GE NS16H36SA5-**A cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,057-$2,820 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,302 in Phoenix and $2,355 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 NS16H36SA5-**A?
      ENERGY STAR lists 28 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use NCHC42CT5*-**+TDR, NCU[C,U]48CT5*-**+TDR, NAM42V2TA5*-.
      What refrigerant does the GE NS16H36SA5-**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 $1,292/yrYou save $545/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 NS16H36SA5-**A
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,292
      Current system, per year
      $1,837
      You save per year
      $545
      Payback
      24.8 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$8,051

      Cooling $792Heating $500Electricity used: 8,073 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $114

      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.

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      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of March 26, 2026. How we use the data.