What is the SEER2 rating of the GE NS17H36SA4-**A?

The GE NS17H36SA4-**A is rated at up to 16.8 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 305 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.8.

Is the GE NS17H36SA4-**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 NS17H36SA4-**A cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,004-$2,488 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,210 in Phoenix and $2,058 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 NS17H36SA4-**A?

ENERGY STAR lists 305 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR, NCDC48CT4+TDR, NCDC48CT5D-**+TDR.

What refrigerant does the GE NS17H36SA4-**A use?

It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

3-ton central heat pump · NS17H

GE NS17H36SA4-**A

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

Ranks #179 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,060 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 16.8 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 45%
HSPF2: 8.7 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 47%
EER2: 14.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Excellent · beats 98%
Heat at 5°F: 19,300 BTU/h51% of its 47°F output
Excellent · beats 92%

A good fit if…

You want a choice of indoor units - 305 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.
Comfort and noise matter - a single-stage compressor runs only full-on or off.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-410A

General
Brand	GE
Outdoor unit model	NS17H36SA4-**A
Series	NS17H
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Single stage
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	October 1, 2022
Last certified	October 27, 2025
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	16.8 (range 15.2-16.8)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	12.2-14.0
Cooling capacity	35,200-36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	7.8-8.7
Capacity at 47°F	32,400-36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	21,400-24,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	16,800-19,300 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	2.08-2.34
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

Heating output as it gets colder51% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups305 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. The 60 highest-rated of 305 are shown. 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.
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U110T5C*	16.8	14.0	8.0	17,000	217491121
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U090S5C*	16.8	13.5	7.8	16,800	217491072
NCDC48CT4+TDR	NF80D110S5C-*	16.6	13.0	8.7	18,800	213355841
NCDC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF80D110S5C*	16.6	13.0	8.7	18,800	217490931
NCHC51CT4+TDR	NF80U110T5C-*	16.6	13.5	8.1	17,500	210262390
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF80X100V5C*	16.6	13.5	8.1	18,400	217491202
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U110T5C*	16.6	13.5	8.1	18,100	217491119
NCHC51CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U110T5C*	16.6	13.5	8.1	17,500	217491120
NCHC51CT4+TDR	NF80U090S5C-*	16.6	13.5	8.0	17,400	210262394
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U110S5C*	16.6	13.5	8.0	17,000	217491110
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF80X100V5C*	16.6	13.5	8.0	17,100	217491204
NCHC51CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U090S5C*	16.6	13.5	8.0	17,400	217491071
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF96U110S5C*	16.6	13.5	8.0	17,800	217491338
NCUC36BT4+TDR	NF80U090S4B-*	16.6	13.5	7.8	16,800	210262422
NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXV	NF80U090S4B-*	16.6	13.5	7.8	16,800	210262366
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF95X100S5C*	16.6	13.5	7.8	17,000	217491248
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF96U110S5C*	16.6	13.5	7.8	17,000	217491340
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF96U090S4C*	16.6	13.5	7.8	17,000	217491319
NCUC36BT5D-**+TDR	NF80L090S4B*	16.6	13.5	7.8	16,800	217490976
NCUC36BT5D-**+TDR	NF80U090S4B*	16.6	13.5	7.8	16,800	217491065
NCHC51CT4+TDR	NF80X100V5C-*	16.4	13.0	8.1	17,800	210262398
NCHC51CT4+TDR	NF80U110S5C-*	16.4	13.0	8.1	17,400	210262395
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF80L110S5C*	16.4	13.5	8.1	18,000	217490981
NCHC51CT5D-**+TDR	NF80L110S5C*	16.4	13.0	8.1	17,400	217490982
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U110S5C*	16.4	13.5	8.1	18,000	217491108
NCHC51CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U110S5C*	16.4	13.0	8.1	17,400	217491109
NCHC51CT5D-**+TDR	NF80X100V5C*	16.4	13.0	8.1	17,800	217491203
NCHC42BT5D-**+TDR	NF80U090S4B*	16.4	13.0	8.1	18,300	217491063
NCHC42BT5D-**+TDR	NF80X080V4B*	16.4	13.5	8.1	18,400	217491191
NCHC42BT5D-**+TDR	NF80L090S4B*	16.4	13.0	8.1	18,300	217490974
NCHC51CT4+TDR	NF96U110S5C-*	16.4	13.0	8.0	17,500	210262397
NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXV	NF80X080V4B-*	16.4	13.0	8.0	17,000	210262368
NCUC36BT4+TDR	NF80X080V4B-*	16.4	13.0	8.0	17,000	210262424
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF95X100S5C*	16.4	13.5	8.0	17,800	217491246
NCHC51CT5D-**+TDR	NF96U110S5C*	16.4	13.0	8.0	17,500	217491339
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF96U090S4C*	16.4	13.5	8.0	18,100	217491317
NCUC36BT5D-**+TDR	NF80X080V4B*	16.4	13.0	8.0	17,000	217491193
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U090S5C*	16.4	13.5	8.0	17,900	217491070
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF97U090M4C*	16.4	13.5	8.0	18,000	217491417
NCUC50/60CT4+TDR	NF80U110T5C-*	16.4	13.0	7.8	17,100	210262432
NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXV	NF80U090T4B-*	16.4	13.0	7.8	17,000	210262362
NCUC50/60CT4+TDR	NF80U090S5C-*	16.4	13.0	7.8	17,000	210262436
NCUC36BT4+TDR	NF80U090T4B-*	16.4	13.0	7.8	17,000	210262418
NCUC50CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U090S5C*	16.4	13.0	7.8	17,000	217491073
NCUC36BT5D-**+TDR	NF80U090T4B*	16.4	13.0	7.8	17,000	217491092
NCUC50CT5D-**+TDR	NF80U110T5C*	16.4	13.0	7.8	17,100	217491122
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF97U110M5C*	16.4	13.5	7.8	17,200	217491440
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF97X080V4C*	16.4	13.5	7.8	17,000	217491477
NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF97U090M4C*	16.4	13.5	7.8	17,000	217491419
NCDC48CT4+TDR	NF96D090S4C-*	16.2	13.0	8.7	19,100	213355842
NCDC48CT5D-**+TDR	NF96D090S4C*	16.2	13.0	8.7	19,100	217491262
NAM42V1TA4	-	16.2	13.0	8.1	17,400	211641627
NCHC51CT4+TDR	NF97U110M5C-*	16.2	13.0	8.1	17,600	210262405
NCUC50/60CT4+TDR	NF80X100V5C-*	16.2	13.0	8.1	17,400	210262440
NCHC48BT4+TDR	NF80X080V4B-*	16.2	13.0	8.1	17,400	210262382
NCDC3036CT4+TDR	NF80D110S5C-*	16.2	13.5	8.1	18,400	213355835
NCHC42CT4+TDR	NF97U110V5C	16.2	13.5	8.1	18,200	215283414
NCHC51CT4+TDR	NF97U110V5C	16.2	13.0	8.1	17,600	215283435
NCHC51CT5D-**+TDR	NF97U110V5C	16.2	13.0	8.1	17,600	215283441
NCHC42CT5D-**+TDR	NF97U110V5C	16.2	13.5	8.1	18,200	215283420

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,004-$2,488

Phoenix, AZ$1,210/yr
Miami, FL$1,004/yr
Houston, TX$1,084/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,060/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,023/yr
New York, NY$2,488/yr
Chicago, IL$2,011/yr
Denver, CO$1,665/yr
Seattle, WA$1,018/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,058/yr

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 NS17H36SA4-**A?: The GE NS17H36SA4-**A is rated at up to 16.8 SEER2 and 14.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 305 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.8.
Is the GE NS17H36SA4-**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 NS17H36SA4-**A cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,004-$2,488 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,210 in Phoenix and $2,058 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 NS17H36SA4-**A?: ENERGY STAR lists 305 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use NCUC48CT5D-**+TDR, NCDC48CT4+TDR, NCDC48CT5D-**+TDR.
What refrigerant does the GE NS17H36SA4-**A use?: It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

Running cost and savings

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

Heat pump $1,187/yrYou save $630/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 GE NS17H36SA4-**A

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: $1,187
Current system, per year: $1,817
You save per year: $630
Payback: 21.4 years
Net after 10 years: -$7,199

Cooling $754Heating $433Electricity used: 7,418 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $201

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 ton models

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Lennox EL17XP1-036-230A16.8 SEER2 · 8.7 HSPF2
Comfort-Aire HRG1536S1R-**A16.8 SEER2 · 8.7 HSPF2
Lennox ML17XP1-036-230A16.8 SEER2 · 8.7 HSPF2
Blueridge BHP17L36P-**A16.8 SEER2 · 8.7 HSPF2
Carrier 37MURAQ36AA3 · cold climate16.7 SEER2 · 9.3 HSPF2
Armstrong Air 4SHP17LE136P-**A16.8 SEER2 · 8.7 HSPF2
Day & Night D5CURAH36AAK · cold climate16.7 SEER2 · 9.3 HSPF2

See all 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of October 27, 2025. How we use the data.