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GCHV vs PolarWave: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical GCHV model beats 38% and a typical PolarWave model 51%. PolarWave rates higher overall.

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

GCHV

38%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

20 models listed

PolarWave

51%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

20 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°FGCHV: Beats 39%PolarWave: Beats 52%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FGCHV: Beats 37%PolarWave: Beats 44%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2GCHV: Beats 28%PolarWave: Beats 58%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2GCHV: Beats 30%PolarWave: Beats 57%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2GCHV: Beats 51%PolarWave: Beats 42%

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

    GCHV
    20%
    PolarWave
    75%

  • Xcel CC

    GCHV
    20%
    PolarWave
    65%

  • CEE Advanced

    GCHV
    0%
    PolarWave
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    GCHV
    10%
    PolarWave
    70%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

GCHV

None of GCHV’s ducted, 2.5–3 tons models has all five ratings.

PolarWave

  1. 1EZ-36-HPBwith ducted air handler EZ-36-AHBPolarWave3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.4 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 62
  2. 2EZ-36Z-M4BPolarWave3 tons · 33,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 61.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.1score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 73
  3. 3EZ-36-EHPBwith ducted air handler EZ-36-AHBPolarWave3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 59.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    45.0score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 30

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.

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