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CADET vs POLAR ELITE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical CADET model beats 71% and a typical POLAR ELITE model 17%. CADET rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

CADET

71%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

8 models listed

POLAR ELITE

17%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

8 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FCADET: Beats 44%POLAR ELITE: Beats 18%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCADET: Beats 85%POLAR ELITE: Beats 27%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2CADET: Beats 81%POLAR ELITE: Beats 27%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2CADET: Beats 68%POLAR ELITE: Beats 14%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2CADET: Beats 75%POLAR ELITE: Beats 7%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    CADET
    100%
    POLAR ELITE
    0%

  • Xcel CC

    CADET
    100%
    POLAR ELITE
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    CADET
    0%
    POLAR ELITE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    CADET
    100%
    POLAR ELITE
    0%

All-around best, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CADET

  1. 1500006879CADET4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.2 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 63

POLAR ELITE

No ductless, 3.5–4.5 tons model from POLAR ELITE.

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

Open the advanced view