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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted up to 1.5 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, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

GCHV

  1. 1CPT-DD09AGR4-VTAGCHV1 ton · 9,600 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.61 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    6.6 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    8.8score / 100

PolarWave

No ducted, up to 1.5 tons model from PolarWave.

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