GCHV vs PolarWave heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, PolarWave scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. GCHV has 20 outdoor models, PolarWave has 20 outdoor models. GCHV and PolarWave have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 11, 2026updated Oct 11, 2026 · 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.

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 5 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	38%median —	51%median —
COP at 5°F	39%median 1.84	52%median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	37%median 70%	44%median 71%
HSPF2	28%median 7.5	58%median 9.5
SEER2	30%median 14.3	57%median 19.2
EER2	51% (higher)median 11.7	42% (higher)median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	45%median 11,100 Btu/h	55%median 21,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	20	20
AHRI certifications	48	26

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)	20%4 models	75%15 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	20%4 models	75%15 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	20%4 models	65%13 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	10%2 models	70%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 · 3 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	6 · index 14%	None
Ducted, 2 tons	5 · index 57%	3 · index 60%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	4 · index —	3 · index 60%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	5 · index 59%	5 · index 53%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	6 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None	3 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	2 · index 32%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	1 · index 53%

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	8.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPT-DD09AGR4-VTA1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218724431	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)COT-D36HNR8-EA01(J0)with ducted air handler CAH-D24HNR8-FMC(J0)Also listed as COT-D24HNR8-EA01(J0)2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 215223218	66.3(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 tons	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)	73.1(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 tons	64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)COT-D60HNR8-GA01(J0)with ducted air handler CAH-D60HNR8-FMD(J0)Also listed as COT-D48HNR8-GA01(J0)2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 215223221	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EZ-48Z-M5B5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216980937
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	73.1(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 tons	No models in this size class	42.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-27Z-M3B1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216980932
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	41.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-36Z-M4B1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 216980933
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	45.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-48Z-M5B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216980938

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	18.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)CPT-DD12AGR4-VTA4 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217175307	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)COT-D36HNR8-EA01(J0)with ducted air handler CAH-D24HNR8-FMC(J0)Also listed as COT-D24HNR8-EA01(J0)3 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215223218	68.3(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 tons	None on this board (0 of 4 models have all five ratings)	67.3(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 tons	64.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)COT-D60HNR8-GA01(J0)with ducted air handler CAH-D48HNR8-FMD(J0)2 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215223220	80.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EZ-48Z-M5B5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980937
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	73.3(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 tons	No models in this size class	56.2(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 tons	No models in this size class	53.2(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 tons	No models in this size class	52.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)EZ-48Z-M5B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216980936

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 69% · 2.10COT-D60HNR8-GA01(J0)Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 2.44EZ-18ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 66% · 83%COT-D36HNR8-EA01(J0)Also listed as COT-D24HNR8-EA01(J0)Ducted, 2 tons	beats 91% · 105%EZ-36-HPBDucted, 2.5–3 tons
HSPF2	beats 69% · 9.0COT-D60HNR8-GA01(J0)Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 91% · 10.3EZ-36-HPBDucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 87% · 20.0COT-D36HNR8-EA01(J0)Also listed as COT-D24HNR8-EA01(J0)Ducted, 2 tons	beats 91% · 20.0EZ-48Z-M5BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 93% · 13.3COT-D36HNR8-EA01(J0)Also listed as COT-D24HNR8-EA01(J0)Ducted, 2 tons	beats 83% · 12.0EZ-48Z-M5BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 74% · 42,500 Btu/hCOT-D60HNR8-GA01(J0)Also listed as COT-D48HNR8-GA01(J0)Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 97% · 39,000 Btu/hEZ-36-HPBDucted, 2.5–3 tons

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