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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 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2 tons (21,000–26,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

IWAE

  1. 1**AESHV8T2421BAwith ducted air handler **AEAMPVT24D21BAIWAE2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 42.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    37.2score / 100Heating 43 · Cooling 32

SEA BREEZE+

  1. 1SZ24H525ZMOwith ducted air handler D24H525ZMISEA BREEZE+2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 77.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.30 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    78.8score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 81
  2. 2HSZ24H525ZMOwith ducted air handler D24H525ZMISEA BREEZE+2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 85.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.18 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    78.4score / 100Heating 86 · Cooling 71
  3. 3MZ27H525ZMOSEA BREEZE+2 tons · 26,600 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    64.5score / 100Heating 49 · Cooling 81

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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