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.

GCHV 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 3 of the 6 ratings.

GCHV
PolarWave
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	GCHV	PolarWave
Efficiency index	54%median —	54%median —
COP at 5°F	44%median 1.85	44%median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F	65% (higher)median 76%	57% (higher)median 71%
HSPF2	32%median 7.6	66%median 9.4
SEER2	48%median 16.0	59%median 19.0
EER2	49% (higher)median 11.4	43% (higher)median 10.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	45%median 21,600 Btu/h	59%median 20,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models	18	58
AHRI certifications	34	135

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	GCHV	PolarWave
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	60.3%35 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	53.4%31 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	1.7%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	5.6%1 models	41.4%24 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	1.7%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 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 · 4 groups where both have models

GCHV
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	GCHV	PolarWave
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index —	8 · index 60%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index —	4 · index 69%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 54%	12 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	7 · index —	12 · index 54%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	16 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	4 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	12 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	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	GCHVCold-climate score, best model	PolarWaveCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 213433286
Ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)	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	48.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)COU-D30HNR1-D01-J0with ducted air handler CAHI-36HNVR1-181 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207743797	79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB7 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 212316105
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)	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
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	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	No models in this size class	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	No models in this size class	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	No models in this size class	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	GCHVAll-around score, best model	PolarWaveAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)	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	None on this board (0 of 4 models have all five ratings)	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	54.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)COU-D30HNR1-D01-J0with ducted air handler CAHI-36HNVR1-181 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207743797	75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ES-27Z-M3B12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316124
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 7 models have all five ratings)	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	No models in this size class	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	No models in this size class	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	No models in this size class	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	No models in this size class	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	No models in this size class	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	GCHV	PolarWave
COP at 5°F	beats 44% · 1.85COU-D30HNR1-D01-J0Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 91% · 2.21ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 62% · 76%COU-D30HNR1-D01-J0Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 95% · 113%ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 55% · 8.2COT-60HNVR1-18Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 10.3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 74% · 16.7CRB-DD48HNR1-WKB2-H0Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 24.6ES-27Z-M3BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 76% · 12.2COT-24HNVR1-18Ducted, 2 tons	beats 98% · 16.2ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 45% · 22,400 Btu/hCOU-D30HNR1-D01-J0Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 56,500 Btu/hACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

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GCHV vs PolarWave heat pumps