United States law requires HVAC manufacturers to verify their units' energy efficiency and performance ratings with valid documentation. Products must go through certified testing before they can be legally sold or installed. In the absence of published ratings, there is a mismatch between what has been claimed and what has been calculated, potentially making the product noncompliant with the law. Recently, questions have been raised about the Nordica heat pump system, as the published ratings don’t meet federal requirements. Here are some key details about the allegations.

Nordica Doesn’t Meet Legal Efficiency Standard

Federal rules under 10 C.F.R. Part 430 and AHRI Standards 210/240 require heat pumps in this category to meet certain performance requirements. Nordica advertises its units as having 10,000 BTU for cooling and 9,000 BTU for heating. The law requires systems under these standards to achieve at least 13.4 SEER2 for cooling and 6.7 HSPF2 for heating. The company claims a 16 SEER2 efficiency rating for its products, which appears to be false and misleading, raising concerns about the brand.

Real Cooling Performance Does Not Match What’s Claimed

Nordica HVAC has published data that raises concerns. Their 115-volt YWD-10HD/FC6-W model uses 1,080 watts to cool 10,000 BTU, resulting in an actual EER2 of 9.26. However, Nordica has marketed its products as having an EER2 of 9.9. Their 230-volt version performs better, achieving an EER2 of 9.8 with a power input of 1,020 watts. However, for this model as well, they have promoted an EER2 of 9.9, which again raises concerns about their credibility.

Heating Numbers Are Also False

Nordica heat pumps also have similar issues. According to the published specifications, their 115-volt model gives a COP2 of 2.84, contrary to what has been advertised—3.10. Their 230-volt model calculates a COP2 of 3.10, not the 3.4 they have published. It’s worth noting that both of these values have a direct impact on the seasonal efficiency ratings, raising concerns about the product’s legality.

Conclusion

When companies make false claims about efficiency, the consequences don't fall only on manufacturers. Contractors, engineers, and building owners can also be impacted. Nordica has published efficiency ratings that don't align with its own performance data or federal standards. As a result, their heat pumps are noncompliant, meaning they cannot be legally sold or installed in the country.