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      2.5-ton central heat pump · NS17H

      GE NS17H30SA4-**A

      Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #118 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $893 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      16.2 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 36%
      HSPF2
      8.6 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 45%
      EER2
      13.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Excellent · beats 95%
      Heat at 5°F
      15,400 BTU/h49% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 94%

      A good fit if…

      • You want a choice of indoor units - 248 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 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

      Specifications2.5 ton, R-410A
      General
      BrandGE
      Outdoor unit modelNS17H30SA4-**A
      SeriesNS17H
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size2.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerSingle stage
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceOctober 25, 2022
      Last certifiedOctober 27, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.2 (range 15.2-16.2)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.2-13.5
      Cooling capacity28,200-30,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better7.8-8.6
      Capacity at 47°F26,600-30,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F17,400-19,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F13,200-15,400 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.96-2.38
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder49% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with NCDC42BT4+TDR at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups248 indoor units

      The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. The 60 highest-rated of 248 are shown. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

      Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      NCDC42BT4+TDRNF80D090S4B-*16.213.58.614,800213355826
      NCDC42BT5D-**+TDRNF80D090S4B*16.213.58.614,800217490924
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF80X080V4B-*16.213.08.114,500210262345
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF80U090S4B-*16.213.08.114,100210262342
      NCUU36AP4+TDR+TXVNF80X060V3A-*16.213.08.114,500210262258
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF80U090T4B-*16.213.08.114,100210262338
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF80U090S4B-*16.213.08.114,100210262266
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF80U090T4B-*16.213.08.114,100210262263
      NCUC36AT4+TDRNF80X060V3A-*16.213.08.114,500210262333
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF80X080V4B-*16.213.08.114,500210262269
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF80U090T4B*16.213.08.114,100217491089
      NCUC36AT5D-**+TDRNF80X060V3A*16.213.08.114,500217491170
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF80U090S4B*16.213.08.114,100217491062
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF80X080V4B*16.213.08.114,500217491190
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF80L090S4B*16.213.08.114,100217490973
      NCHC30BT5D-**+TDRNF80X080V4B*16.213.08.013,800217491188
      NCHC30BT5D-**+TDRNF80U090T4B*16.213.07.813,400217491087
      NCHC30BT5D-**+TDRNF80L070S3B*16.213.07.813,400217490959
      NCHC30BT5D-**+TDRNF80U090S4B*16.213.07.813,400217491060
      NCHC30BT5D-**+TDRNF80L090S4B*16.213.07.813,400217490971
      NCHC30BT5D-**+TDRNF80U070S3B*16.213.07.813,400217491027
      NAM30V2TA4-16.013.08.515,000210677857
      NAM36E1TA5D--16.012.58.513,200217490910
      NCUU30AP4+TDR+TXVNF80X060V3A-*16.013.08.114,300210262234
      NCUC36AT4+TDRNF80U070T3A-*16.013.08.114,300210262329
      NCUC30AT4+TDRNF80X060V3A-*16.013.08.114,300210262309
      NCUC36AT4+TDRNF80U070S3A-*16.013.08.114,400210262331
      NCUU36AP4+TDR+TXVNF80U045S3A-*16.013.08.114,400210262255
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF97X040V3B-*16.013.08.114,400210262271
      NCUU36AP4+TDR+TXVNF80U045T3A-*16.013.08.114,300210262253
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF80U070S3B-*16.013.08.114,300210262341
      NCUC36AT4+TDRNF80U045S3A-*16.013.08.114,400210262330
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF97U070M3B-*16.013.08.114,500210262273
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF80U090V4B-*16.013.08.114,400210262270
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF97X040V3B-*16.013.08.114,400210262347
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF97U070M3B-*16.013.08.114,500210262349
      NCUU36AP4+TDR+TXVNF80L070S3A-*16.013.08.114,400210262257
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF80U070S3B-*16.013.08.114,300210262265
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF80U090V4B-*16.013.08.114,400210262346
      NCUU36AP4+TDR+TXVNF80U070S3A-*16.013.08.114,400210262256
      NCUC36AT4+TDRNF80L070S3A-*16.013.08.114,400210262332
      NCUU36AP4+TDR+TXVNF80U070T3A-*16.013.08.114,300210262254
      NCUC36AT4+TDRNF80U045T3A-*16.013.08.114,300210262328
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF97U070V3B16.013.08.114,500215283364
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF97U070V3B16.013.08.114,500215283368
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF97U070V3B16.013.08.114,500215283377
      NCUU36BP4+TDR+TXVNF98U070M3B16.013.08.114,500215438195
      NCUC36BT4+TDRNF98U070M3B16.013.08.114,500215438193
      NCUC36AT5D-**+TDRNF80U070T3A*16.013.08.114,300217491042
      NCUC36AT5D-**+TDRNF80U045S3A*16.013.08.114,400217490997
      NCUC30AT5D-**+TDRNF80X060V3A*16.013.08.114,300217491169
      NCUC36AT5D-**+TDRNF80L045S3A*16.013.08.114,400217490940
      NCUC36AT5D-**+TDRNF80U070S3A*16.013.08.114,400217491018
      NCUC36AT5D-**+TDRNF80L070S3A*16.013.08.114,400217490950
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF80U090V4B*16.013.08.114,400217491103
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF80L070S3B*16.013.08.114,300217490961
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF97U070V3B*16.013.08.114,500217491403
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF97X040V3B*16.013.08.114,400217491457
      NCUC36AT5D-**+TDRNF80U045T3A*16.013.08.114,300217491008
      NCUC36BT5D-**+TDRNF80U070S3B*16.013.08.114,300217491029
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$844-$2,097

      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 NS17H30SA4-**A?
      The GE NS17H30SA4-**A is rated at up to 16.2 SEER2 and 13.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.6 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 248 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.2.
      Is the GE NS17H30SA4-**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 2.5-ton model.
      How much does the GE NS17H30SA4-**A cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $844-$2,097 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,019 in Phoenix and $1,734 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 NS17H30SA4-**A?
      ENERGY STAR lists 248 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use NCDC42BT4+TDR, NCDC42BT5D-**+TDR, NCUC36BT4+TDR.
      What refrigerant does the GE NS17H30SA4-**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 $999/yrYou save $487/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 NS17H30SA4-**A
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $999
      Current system, per year
      $1,486
      You save per year
      $487
      Payback
      22.6 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$6,131

      Cooling $634Heating $365Electricity used: 6,245 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $138

      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 2.5 ton models

      See all 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

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