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.

Cooper&Hunter and PolarWave 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, PolarWave scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Cooper&Hunter
PolarWave
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Cooper&Hunter	PolarWave
Efficiency index	57% (higher)median — · 11th ranked	54% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	55% (higher)median 2.00 · 13th ranked	44% (higher)median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F	56%median 70% · 12th ranked	57%median 71%
HSPF2	64%median 9.4 · 8th ranked	66%median 9.4
SEER2	56%median 19.8 · 10th ranked	59%median 19.0
EER2	45% (higher)median 10.5 · 22nd ranked	43% (higher)median 10.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	53%median 17,500 Btu/h · 15th ranked	59%median 20,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models	57	58
AHRI certifications	408	135

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Cooper&Hunter	PolarWave
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	57.9%33 models	60.3%35 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	56.1%32 models	53.4%31 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.8%1 models	1.7%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	45.6%26 models	41.4%24 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.8%1 models	1.7%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	42.1%24 models	46.6%27 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 · 8 groups where both have models

Cooper&Hunter
PolarWave
All models of the group

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Cooper&Hunter	PolarWave
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	8 · index 67%	8 · index 60%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 82%	4 · index 69%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	10 · index 56%	12 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	10 · index 58%	12 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	3 · index 55%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	24 · index 56%	16 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	5 · index 47%	4 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	13 · index 59%	12 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	11 · index 49%	7 · index 51%

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 type	Cooper&HunterCold-climate score, best model	PolarWaveCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR09-230VOwith ducted air handler CH-M09DTUI7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 207742328	86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 213433286
Ducted, 2 tons	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CH-ES24-230VOwith ducted air handler CH-M24DTUI2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 207742325	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212316081
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HYP36LCUOwith ducted air handler CH-36LCDTU/IAlso listed as CH-NHPR36LCU-230VO4 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 205901586	79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB7 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 212316105
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HYP48LCUOwith ducted air handler CH-48LCDTU/IAlso listed as CH-NHPR48LCU-230VO5 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 205263864	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB8 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 212316106
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR06F9-230VOwith ductless indoor unit CH-06MASTWM-230VI14 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 207740500	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC6 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 212316098
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CH-HPR24-230VOwith ductless indoor unit CH-N24MSPHCT-230VI3 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 207742335	85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212316084
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR36M-230VO4 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 207742379	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B4 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 212316091
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-NHPR60LCU-230VOwith ductless indoor unit CH-60LCFC/I5 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 211246027	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-60FM-HH-MB4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 212316110

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 type	Cooper&HunterAll-around score, best model	PolarWaveAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR09-230VOwith ducted air handler CH-M09DTUI8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742328	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316078
Ducted, 2 tons	83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CH-ES24-230VOwith ducted air handler CH-M24DTUI2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742325	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316081
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-28MES-230VO8 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742365	75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-27Z-M3B12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316124
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR48M-230VO8 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742382	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316095
Ducted, 5 tons and up	57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CH-N60LCU-230VOwith ducted air handler CH-60LCDTU/I3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742344	41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60-EHPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60AHB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213433280
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR06F9-230VOwith ductless indoor unit CH-06MASTWM-230VI24 of 24 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207740500	92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316098
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR24-230VOwith ductless indoor unit CH-24MASTWM-230VI5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207740504	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316074
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR36M-230VO9 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742379	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B10 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316091
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)CH-HPR48M-230VO8 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207742381	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316094

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
Rating	Cooper&Hunter	PolarWave
COP at 5°F	beats 98% · 2.45CH-ES12-230VONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 2.21ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 97% · 97%CH-NHPR48LCU-230VODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 95% · 113%ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 10.3CH-HYP48LCUOAlso listed as CH-NHPR48LCU-230VODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 10.3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 24.6CH-28MES-230VONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 24.6ES-27Z-M3BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 98% · 16.2CH-HPR09-230VONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 16.2ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 57,600 Btu/hCH-NHPR60LCU-230VODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 56,500 Btu/hACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers

Cooper&Hunter vs PolarWave heat pumps