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ECO-AIR vs PolarWave heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ECO-AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. ECO-AIR has 60 outdoor models, PolarWave has 20 outdoor models. ECO-AIR and PolarWave 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.
ECO-AIR 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, ECO-AIR scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • ECO-AIR
  • PolarWave
  • Other ranked manufacturers
ECO-AIRPolarWave

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingECO-AIRPolarWave
Efficiency index65% (higher)median —51% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F62% (higher)median 2.0052% (higher)median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F61% (higher)median 81%44% (higher)median 71%
HSPF273% (higher)median 9.958% (higher)median 9.5
SEER269% (higher)median 20.757% (higher)median 19.2
EER259% (higher)median 12.042% (higher)median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F64% (higher)median 25,100 Btu/h55% (higher)median 21,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models6020
AHRI certifications28826

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardECO-AIRPolarWave
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)90%54 models75%15 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)88.3%53 models75%15 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.7%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)80%48 models65%13 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.7%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate81.7%49 models70%14 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 · 7 groups where both have models
  • ECO-AIR
  • PolarWave
  • 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 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 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 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 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 typeECO-AIRPolarWave
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons13 · index 75%None
Ducted, 2 tons6 · index 63%3 · index 60%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons13 · index 66%3 · index 60%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons14 · index 66%5 · index 53%
Ducted, 5 tons and up3 · index 63%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons18 · index 63%6 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 64%3 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons13 · index 59%2 · index 32%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons8 · index 60%1 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up2 · index 59%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 typeECO-AIRCold-climate score, best modelPolarWaveCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)EDSO-06Hwith ducted air handler EDLS-06U12 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 216759958No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDSO-24Hwith ducted air handler EDHS-24U6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21675996866.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-24-HPBwith ducted air handler EZ-24-AHB3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216980861
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDSO-36Hwith ducted air handler EDHS-36U11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 21675996973.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-36-HPBwith ducted air handler EZ-36-AHB3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216980862
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDMO-48HAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-48H-6GX14 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 21676001070.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-48Z-M5B5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216980937
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDSO-06Hwith ductless indoor unit EDWM-06U14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 21675997973.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-18ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit EZ-18W-MB3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216980906
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDSO-24Hwith ductless indoor unit ED4W-24U3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21675994842.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-27Z-M3B1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216980932
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDMO-36HAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-36H-5GX11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 21676000841.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-36Z-M4B1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216980933
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDMO-48HAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-48H-6GX8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21676001145.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-48Z-M5B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216980938
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)No 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 typeECO-AIRAll-around score, best modelPolarWaveAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)EDSO-06Hwith ducted air handler EDLS-06U13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216759958No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDSO-24Ewith ducted air handler EDHS-24U6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21675997568.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-27Z-M3B3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980931
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDMO-36HAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-36H-5GX13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21676000767.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-36-HPBwith ducted air handler EZ-36-AHB3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980862
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDMO-48EAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-48E-6GX14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21675999580.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-48Z-M5B5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980937
Ducted, 5 tons and up65.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EDSO-60Ewith ducted air handler EDHS-60U3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216759978No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons96.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDSO-06Hwith ductless indoor unit EDWM-06U18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21675997973.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-18ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit EZ-18W-MB6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980906
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDSO-24Ewith ductless indoor unit EDWM-24U3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21675993956.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit EZ-24W-MB3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980907
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDMO-36HAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-36H-5GX13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21676000653.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-36Z-M4B2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980933
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons75.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EDMO-48HAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-48H-6GX8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21676000952.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-48Z-M5B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980936
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up58.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)EDMO-60EAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-60E-6GX2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216759997No 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
RatingECO-AIRPolarWave
COP at 5°Fbeats 99% · 2.54EDSO-24ENon-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 98% · 2.44EZ-18ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 98% · 120%EDSO-09HDucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 105%EZ-36-HPBDucted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 14.8EDSO-06HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 10.3EZ-36-HPBDucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 97% · 25.0EDMO-27EAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-27E-4GXNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 91% · 20.0EZ-48Z-M5BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2beats 99% · 18.0EDSO-06HNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 83% · 12.0EZ-48Z-M5BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 97% · 19,000 Btu/hEDMO-18HAlso sold as Eco Air EDMO-18H-3GXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 97% · 39,000 Btu/hEZ-36-HPBDucted, 2.5–3 tons

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