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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 54% and a typical PolarWave model 54%. They are level.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

GCHV

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

18 models listed

PolarWave

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

58 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 44%PolarWave: Beats 44%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FGCHV: Beats 65%PolarWave: Beats 57%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2GCHV: Beats 32%PolarWave: Beats 66%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2GCHV: Beats 48%PolarWave: Beats 59%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2GCHV: Beats 49%PolarWave: Beats 43%

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
    0%
    PolarWave
    60%

  • Xcel CC

    GCHV
    6%
    PolarWave
    41%

  • CEE Advanced

    GCHV
    0%
    PolarWave
    2%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    GCHV
    0%
    PolarWave
    47%

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?

GCHV

None of GCHV’s ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons models qualifies.

PolarWave

  1. 1ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MBPolarWave4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 88% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    88% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.02 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    86.4score / 100
  2. 2ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60CD-HH-MBPolarWave4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 93% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    93% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.97 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.0score / 100
  3. 3EZ-60-HPwith ducted air handler EZ-60-AHPolarWave4.5 tons · 55,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 92% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.91 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    9.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    77.1score / 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