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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, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

IWAE

  1. 1AEPL**MHV23S1232B1Awith ductless indoor unit AEPL**AWM23E1232B1AIWAEAlso listed as AEPL**MHV23S1231B1A1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 51.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    63.4score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 76
  2. 2AEPL**MHV22S1831B1Awith ductless indoor unit AEPL**AWM22E1831B1AIWAE1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 51.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    56.3score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 62
  3. 3AEPL**MHV23S0932B1Awith ductless indoor unit AEPL**AWM23E0932B1AIWAE1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 51.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    89% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    54.3score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 57

SEA BREEZE+

  1. 1SZ09H525ZMOwith ductless indoor unit C09H525ZMISEA BREEZE+1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 89.5Meets 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
    2.27 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    13.9 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    26.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    16.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    92.6score / 100Heating 90 · Cooling 96
  2. 2HSZ09H525ZMOwith ductless indoor unit C09H525ZMISEA BREEZE+1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    126% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.9 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    27.2 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.1 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.6score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 96
  3. 3HMZ18H525ZMOSEA BREEZE+1.5 tons · 19,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    95% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.4 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    81.9score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 91

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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