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IWAE vs SEA BREEZE+: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical IWAE model beats 52% and a typical SEA BREEZE+ model 68%. SEA BREEZE+ rates higher overall.

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

IWAE

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

23 models listed

SEA BREEZE+

68%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

23 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°FIWAE: Beats 26%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 65%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FIWAE: Beats 61%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 64%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2IWAE: Beats 35%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 78%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2IWAE: Beats 40%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 70%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2IWAE: Beats 36%SEA BREEZE+: Beats 65%

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

    IWAE
    35%
    SEA BREEZE+
    91%

  • Xcel CC

    IWAE
    35%
    SEA BREEZE+
    87%

  • CEE Advanced

    IWAE
    0%
    SEA BREEZE+
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    IWAE
    26%
    SEA BREEZE+
    87%

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), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

IWAE

  1. 1**AESHV9T3621BAwith ducted air handler **AEAMPVT36D21BAIWAE3 tons · 34,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 55.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    51.6score / 100Heating 55 · Cooling 48

SEA BREEZE+

  1. 1HMZ36H525ZMOSEA BREEZE+3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 82.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    83.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 85
  2. 2HMZ27H525ZMOSEA BREEZE+2.5 tons · 28,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    96% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    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
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    77.4score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 82
  3. 3MZ36H525ZMOSEA BREEZE+3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 60.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    69.5score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 79

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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