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Clima Smart vs POLAR ELITE: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Clima Smart model beats 73% and a typical POLAR ELITE model 17%. Clima Smart rates higher overall.

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

Clima Smart

73%

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°FClima Smart: Beats 35%POLAR ELITE: Beats 18%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FClima Smart: Beats 79%POLAR ELITE: Beats 27%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Clima Smart: Beats 68%POLAR ELITE: Beats 27%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Clima Smart: Beats 89%POLAR ELITE: Beats 14%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Clima Smart: Beats 80%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

    Clima Smart
    100%
    POLAR ELITE
    0%

  • Xcel CC

    Clima Smart
    100%
    POLAR ELITE
    0%

  • CEE Advanced

    Clima Smart
    0%
    POLAR ELITE
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Clima Smart
    100%
    POLAR ELITE
    0%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 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 Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Clima Smart

No ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons model from Clima Smart.

POLAR ELITE

  1. 1PEHPINVPR48KPOLAR ELITE4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.82 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    7.8 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    41.0score / 100

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