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      9,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · LEA Series

      NOVAIR LEA09SZ26-O

      Excellent cooling and heating efficiency for a 9,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #122 of 395 9,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $187 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      26.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 91%
      HSPF2
      13.9 Heating efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 98%
      EER2
      16.2 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Excellent · beats 97%
      Heat at 5°F
      8,600 BTU/h96% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 90%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 91% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 8,600 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 98% of mini-splits.
      • 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

      Specifications9,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandNOVAIR
      Outdoor unit modelLEA09SZ26-O
      SeriesLEA Series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size9,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJuly 18, 2025
      Last certifiedMay 28, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better26.0 (range 19.5-26.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.8-16.2
      Cooling capacity9,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better11.0-13.9
      Capacity at 47°F9,000-10,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F8,100-9,300 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F8,000-8,600 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.17-2.36
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder96% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with LEA09CONSK-I at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups5 indoor units

      The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

      Indoor unitSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      LEA09CONSK-I · cold climate26.016.213.98,600217606316
      4LEA09USK-I · cold climate25.814.912.58,000217606294
      3LEA09USK-I · cold climate24.614.713.08,200217606290
      LEA09CASS-I · cold climate21.614.311.38,300217606309
      LEA09DUCT-I · cold climate19.512.811.08,600217606313
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$163-$451

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the NOVAIR LEA09SZ26-O?
      The NOVAIR LEA09SZ26-O is rated at up to 26.0 SEER2 and 16.2 EER2 for cooling and up to 13.9 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 5 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-26.0.
      Is the NOVAIR LEA09SZ26-O good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 8,600 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.36, so it is still 2.4 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the NOVAIR LEA09SZ26-O cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $163-$451 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $203 in Phoenix and $378 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 NOVAIR LEA09SZ26-O?
      ENERGY STAR lists 5 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use LEA09CONSK-I, 4LEA09USK-I, 3LEA09USK-I.
      What refrigerant does the NOVAIR LEA09SZ26-O 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 $202/yrYou save $278/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 NOVAIR LEA09SZ26-O
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $202
      Current system, per year
      $480
      You save per year
      $278
      Payback
      12.6 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$720

      Cooling $122Heating $81Electricity used: 1,265 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $168

      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 9,000 BTU models

      See all 395 9,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 28, 2026. How we use the data.