Bosch model numbers pack the series, capacity and configuration of the unit into one string. Once you know where to split it, a Bosch model number tells you almost everything except the unit's age. This guide decodes Bosch indoor and outdoor model numbers position by position, using the key the manufacturer prints on its product data sheets.
Bosch is built by Bosch Home Comfort / Bosch Thermotechnology (IDS inverter ducted split heat pumps). Bosch residential ducted systems in the US are dominated by the IDS (Inverter Ducted Split) heat-pump family — BOVA outdoor + matching air handlers — not traditional gas-furnace letter codes. Capacity is the two-digit tonnage block in the outdoor model (24, 36, 48, 60).
Positions follow Bosch IDS outdoor naming as used on US product literature and nameplates (BOVA + capacity + configuration). Suffix letters change by IDS generation — when a block is not defined on your series' sheet, leave it unread rather than guessing.
Where to Find the Bosch Model Number
On a furnace, the rating plate is inside the front door or on the side of the cabinet, usually a foil or paper label with the model (M/N) and serial (S/N) side by side. On an outdoor AC or heat pump it is on the side of the condenser near the refrigerant line connections. Copy the model number exactly as printed, including dashes: the position of each character is what carries the meaning.
Bosch Air Handler / Indoor Model Number Format
A typical Bosch model number in this family looks like: BMA036. Use the table to split it up:
| Position | Characters | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product family | BMA | BMA / BM* = IDS air handler / indoor coil-blower families paired to BOVA outdoors (exact letters vary by IDS generation) | BMA |
| Capacity | 036 | 024 / 036 / 048 / 060 = thousands of BTU/h (2–5 ton class) | 36,000 BTU/h = 3 tons |
| Options / revision | (varies) | Motor, coil and revision suffixes differ by IDS Light / Plus / Premium / Edge generation — read the full string against that generation's product data | — |
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Common Bosch Families
The first few characters identify the family, and the family tells you the tier, staging and blower (or inverter class) before you read a single digit of capacity.
| Model prefix | Family | Stages | Blower | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMA / BM* handlers | IDS matched air handlers | Inverter-ready | ECM / variable | Paired to BOVA outdoor |
| IDS packaged pairs | Factory-rated BOVA + handler kits | Inverter | Variable-speed | Light / Plus / Premium / Edge |
Bosch IDS Outdoor (BOVA) Model Numbers
Outdoor units use a different string. A typical Bosch outdoor model number looks like: BOVA-36HDN1-M20G.
| Position | Characters | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product family | BOVA | BOVA = IDS inverter outdoor heat pump (BOVB appears on some related generations) | BOVA |
| Capacity | 36 | 24 / 36 / 48 / 60 = thousands of BTU/h (often written with or without a leading 0) | 36,000 BTU/h = 3 tons |
| Configuration | HDN1 | Cabinet / circuit / market configuration block (letters vary by IDS generation) | HDN1 |
| Motor / revision | M20G | Compressor/fan drive and sales revision codes | M20G |
Bosch Tonnage by Model Number
Every Bosch outdoor unit carries its cooling capacity as a two- or three-digit BTU code. Divide by 12 to get tons (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h). Furnace numbers carry the gas input instead, so a heating "080" means 80,000 BTU/h of heating, not 80,000 BTU/h of cooling.
| Model code | Size | Cooling capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 018 | 1.5 ton | 18,000 BTU/h |
| 024 | 2 ton | 24,000 BTU/h |
| 030 | 2.5 ton | 30,000 BTU/h |
| 036 | 3 ton | 36,000 BTU/h |
| 042 | 3.5 ton | 42,000 BTU/h |
| 048 | 4 ton | 48,000 BTU/h |
| 060 | 5 ton | 60,000 BTU/h |
Common Bosch outdoor families and where they sit:
| Model prefix | Family | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| BOVA-* IDS Light / Plus | Inverter ducted split outdoor | High SEER2 / HSPF2 class by generation |
| BOVA-* IDS Premium / Edge | Higher-tier IDS outdoor | Cold-climate / connected variants |
| Matching BMA handlers | Indoor air handlers | Must match outdoor capacity |
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What the Bosch Model Number Does Not Tell You
The model number says nothing about the unit's age. That is in the serial number, and Bosch (like most brands) has changed serial date formats over the years. Use the Bosch serial number lookup to turn a serial into a manufacture date, or the HVAC serial number decoder hub for any other brand. The model number also does not tell you whether the unit was installed and charged correctly, which matters as much as the SEER digit for what it actually costs to run.
Decoded Your Bosch? Here Is What to Do With It
If the unit is under 10 years old and the model number shows a mid- or high-efficiency family, it is usually worth repairing. If the serial dates it past 12 to 15 years for an AC or 15 to 20 years for a furnace, the capacity and cabinet width you just decoded are exactly what you need to size a replacement. A new system at the same tonnage and input will drop straight into the same duct and gas connections.
Related: how to read any furnace data label · Goodman model number decoder.
Bosch, and related marks, are trademarks of their respective owners. Furnace Direct is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bosch's manufacturer. This page is nominative fair-use reference for homeowners decoding a nameplate.
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