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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 2.5–3 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

CADET

  1. 1500006878CADET3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 104% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    104% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    72.6score / 100
  2. 2500006877CADET2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    53.7score / 100

POLAR ELITE

No ductless, 2.5–3 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