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      4-ton central heat pump · NS16H Series

      GE NS16H48SA5-**A

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 4-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #281 of 319 4 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,557 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      15.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 15%
      HSPF2
      8.2 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 28%
      EER2
      12.8 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 85%
      Heat at 5°F
      24,200 BTU/h51% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 76%

      A good fit if…

      • You want a choice of indoor units - 10 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

      Specifications4 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandGE
      Outdoor unit modelNS16H48SA5-**A
      SeriesNS16H Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size4 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerSingle stage
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceNovember 1, 2024
      Last certifiedApril 22, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better15.5 (range 15.2-15.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.8-13.0
      Cooling capacity48,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.0-8.2
      Capacity at 47°F46,000-47,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F29,600-30,200 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F23,400-24,200 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.12-2.20
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      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 NAM48V2TA5*- at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups10 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.
      NAM48V2TA5*--15.512.88.224,200216497709
      NAM60V2TA5*--15.513.08.223,400216497710
      NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDRNF80U110T5C*15.212.88.124,200216497736
      NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDRNF80U090S5C*15.212.88.024,200216497737
      NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDRNF80U110S5C*15.212.88.024,000216497738
      NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDRNF80L110S5C*15.212.88.024,000216497739
      NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDRNF96U090S4C*15.212.88.024,200216497751
      NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDRNF80X100V5C*15.212.88.024,000216497742
      NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDRNF80U110V5C*15.212.88.024,000217052208
      NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDRNF97U090T4C*15.212.88.024,200218159790
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,452-$3,672

      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 NS16H48SA5-**A?
      The GE NS16H48SA5-**A is rated at up to 15.5 SEER2 and 12.8 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 10 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-15.5.
      Is the GE NS16H48SA5-**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 4-ton model.
      How much does the GE NS16H48SA5-**A cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,452-$3,672 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,761 in Phoenix and $3,046 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 NS16H48SA5-**A?
      ENERGY STAR lists 10 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use NAM48V2TA5*-, NAM60V2TA5*-, NCU[C,U]60CT5*-**+TDR.
      What refrigerant does the GE NS16H48SA5-**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 $1,732/yrYou save $727/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 NS16H48SA5-**A
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,732
      Current system, per year
      $2,459
      You save per year
      $727
      Payback
      24.8 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$10,734

      Cooling $1,090Heating $642Electricity used: 10,825 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $151

      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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      See all 319 4 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 22, 2026. How we use the data.