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CADET vs POLAR ELITE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, CADET scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. CADET has 8 outdoor models, POLAR ELITE has 8 outdoor models. CADET and POLAR ELITE have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
CADET and POLAR ELITE on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, CADET scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • CADET
  • POLAR ELITE
  • Other ranked manufacturers
CADETPOLAR EL…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingCADETPOLAR ELITE
Efficiency index71% (higher)median —17% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F44% (higher)median 2.0018% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F85% (higher)median 96%27% (higher)median 65%
HSPF281% (higher)median 10.527% (higher)median 8.2
SEER268% (higher)median 21.514% (higher)median 16.1
EER275% (higher)median 12.87% (higher)median 9.5
Heating capacity at 5°F83% (higher)median 21,000 Btu/h36% (higher)median 15,250 Btu/h
Outdoor models88
AHRI certifications168

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardCADETPOLAR ELITE
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%8 models0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)100%8 models0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)100%8 models0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate100%8 models0%0 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 4 groups where both have models
  • CADET
  • POLAR ELITE
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeCADETPOLAR ELITE
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1 · index 77%None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 81%1 · index 11%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 84%2 · index 26%
Ducted, 2 tonsNone1 · index 21%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 71%3 · index 13%
Non-ducted, 2 tons1 · index 73%1 · index 13%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 55%None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 63%None

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeCADETCold-climate score, best modelPOLAR ELITECold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068761 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218471385No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class25.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)PEHPINVPR24K1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218331921
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068782 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218471391None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)5000068791 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21847139441.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)PEHPINVPR48K1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218331923
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)500006882with ductless indoor unit 5000068744 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218471382None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)500006883with ductless indoor unit 5000068751 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218471383None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068782 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218471392No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons68.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068791 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218471395No models in this size class

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeCADETAll-around score, best modelPOLAR ELITEAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068761 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471385No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class21.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)PEHPINVPR24K1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218331921
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)5000068782 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21847139110.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)PEHPINVPR36K1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218331922
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)5000068791 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21847139431.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)PEHPINVPR48K2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218331923
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)500006880with ductless indoor unit 5000068724 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21847138022.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PE12HMSP1C17with ductless indoor unit PE12HMSP1E173 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217616674
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)500006883with ductless indoor unit 5000068751 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21847138313.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)PE24HMSP2C17with ductless indoor unit PE24HMSP2E171 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217616677
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068782 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471390No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)5000068791 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218471393No models in this size class

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingCADETPOLAR ELITE
COP at 5°Fbeats 63% · 2.00500006876Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 42% · 1.90PE12HMSP1C17Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 95% · 104%500006878Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 53% · 77%PEHPINVPR24KDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 11.0500006879Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 45% · 9.5PE12HMSP1C17Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 96% · 20.4500006879Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 28% · 14.6PEHPINVPR48KDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 91% · 15.0500006880Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 11% · 9.3PEHPINVPR48KDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 94% · 37,400 Btu/h500006878Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 64% · 39,000 Btu/hPEHPINVPR60KDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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