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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 3.5–4.5 tons

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons (39,000–56,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

IWAE

  1. 1**AESHV8T4821BAwith ducted air handler **AEAMPVT48F21BAIWAE4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 70% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    43.2score / 100
  2. 2**AESHV7T6021BAwith ducted air handler **AEAMPVT60F21BAIWAE4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 72% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.2 (HSPF2)
    Good
    42.8score / 100

SEA BREEZE+

  1. 1HMZ48H525ZMOSEA BREEZE+4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    82.7score / 100
  2. 2HMZ55H525ZMOSEA BREEZE+4.5 tons · 53,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 87% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    81.2score / 100
  3. 3MZ48H525ZMOSEA BREEZE+4 tons · 45,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 81% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    81% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    77.9score / 100

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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