HVAC Rated
    Menu

      1.5-ton central heat pump · LEA Series

      NOVAIR LEA18CEN36-O

      Very good cooling efficiency and excellent heating efficiency for a 1.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #30 of 170 1.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $497 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      19.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 85%
      HSPF2
      10.1 Heating efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 90%
      EER2
      12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 80%
      Heat at 5°F
      19,000 BTU/h103% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 65%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 85% of central heat pumps.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 19,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 90% of central heat pumps.
      • 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

      Specifications1.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandNOVAIR
      Outdoor unit modelLEA18CEN36-O
      SeriesLEA Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size1.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJuly 18, 2025
      Last certifiedSeptember 30, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better19.0 (range 16.1-19.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.8-12.5
      Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.1-10.1
      Capacity at 47°F18,000-19,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F14,000-15,200 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F18,000-19,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-2.12
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder103% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with LEA18HH-CEN-I at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups6 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.
      LEA18HH-CEN-I · cold climate-19.012.510.118,600218788023
      LEA18CEN36-I · cold climate-19.012.59.718,000217606253
      LEA-18/24ACOIL14.5*21*18 · cold climateC30-2-V16.810.89.118,000218799846
      LEA-18/24ACOIL14.5*21*18 · cold climateC45-2-V16.611.09.519,000218799858
      LEA-18/24ACOIL14.5*21*18 · cold climate-16.111.79.518,000217606319
      LEA-18/24ACOIL17.5*21*18 · cold climate-16.111.79.518,000217606320
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$445-$1,189

      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 LEA18CEN36-O?
      The NOVAIR LEA18CEN36-O is rated at up to 19.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.1 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.1-19.0.
      Is the NOVAIR LEA18CEN36-O good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 19,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.12, so it is still 2.1 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the NOVAIR LEA18CEN36-O cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $445-$1,189 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $549 in Phoenix and $993 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 LEA18CEN36-O?
      ENERGY STAR lists 6 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use LEA18HH-CEN-I, LEA18CEN36-I, LEA-18/24ACOIL14.5*21*18.
      What refrigerant does the NOVAIR LEA18CEN36-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 $544/yrYou save $400/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 LEA18CEN36-O
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $544
      Current system, per year
      $944
      You save per year
      $400
      Payback
      17.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,997

      Cooling $333Heating $211Electricity used: 3,401 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $183

      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 1.5 ton models

      See all 170 1.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of September 30, 2026. How we use the data.