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Clima Smart vs POLAR ELITE heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Clima Smart scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. Clima Smart has 8 outdoor models, POLAR ELITE has 8 outdoor models. Clima Smart 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.
Clima Smart 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, Clima Smart scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • Clima Smart
  • POLAR ELITE
  • Other ranked manufacturers
Clima Sm…POLAR EL…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingClima SmartPOLAR ELITE
Efficiency index73% (higher)median —17% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F35% (higher)median 1.9018% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F79% (higher)median 98%27% (higher)median 65%
HSPF268% (higher)median 10.027% (higher)median 8.2
SEER289% (higher)median 25.014% (higher)median 16.1
EER280% (higher)median 13.87% (higher)median 9.5
Heating capacity at 5°F71% (higher)median 21,100 Btu/h36% (higher)median 15,250 Btu/h
Outdoor models88
AHRI certifications108

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardClima SmartPOLAR 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 · 2 groups where both have models
  • Clima Smart
  • POLAR ELITE
  • All models of the group
Ducted, 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 typeClima SmartPOLAR ELITE
Ducted, 2 tonsNone1 · index 21%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tonsNone1 · index 11%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone2 · index 26%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 74%3 · index 13%
Non-ducted, 2 tons1 · index 56%1 · index 13%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 80%None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 70%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 typeClima SmartCold-climate score, best modelPOLAR ELITECold-climate score, best model
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 tonsNo models in this size classNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class41.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)PEHPINVPR48K1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218331923
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MU-CSU18HEI2NAM0T24-3PO4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218044807None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2 tons58.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CSU24HEI2NAK0T24with ductless indoor unit CSU24HEI2NAK0T241 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218043761None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MU-CSU27HEI2NAM0T24-4PO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218044808No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons48.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MU-CSU48HEI2NAM0T24-6PO1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218044810No 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 typeClima SmartAll-around score, best modelPOLAR ELITEAll-around score, best model
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 tonsNo models in this size class10.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)PEHPINVPR36K1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218331922
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class31.9(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 tons82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MU-CSU18HEI2NAM0T24-3PO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21804480722.1(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 tons56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CSU24HEI2NAK0T24with ductless indoor unit CSU24HEI2NAK0T241 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21804376113.4(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 tons83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MU-CSU27HEI2NAM0T24-4PO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218044808No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MU-CSU48HEI2NAM0T24-6PO1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218044810No 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
RatingClima SmartPOLAR ELITE
COP at 5°Fbeats 63% · 2.00MU-CSU18HEI2NAM0T24-3PONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 42% · 1.90PE12HMSP1C17Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 90% · 101%CSU09HEI2NAM0T24Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 53% · 77%PEHPINVPR24KDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 80% · 10.5MU-CSU27HEI2NAM0T24-4PONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 45% · 9.5PE12HMSP1C17Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 26.5MU-CSU27HEI2NAM0T24-4PONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 28% · 14.6PEHPINVPR48KDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 97% · 14.0MU-CSU27HEI2NAM0T24-4PONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 11% · 9.3PEHPINVPR48KDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 19,800 Btu/hMU-CSU18HEI2NAM0T24-3PONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 64% · 39,000 Btu/hPEHPINVPR60KDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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