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LPS Legacy vs PolarWave: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical LPS Legacy model beats 61% and a typical PolarWave model 51%. LPS Legacy rates higher overall.

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

LPS Legacy

61%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

65 models listed

PolarWave

51%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

20 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°FLPS Legacy: Beats 61%PolarWave: Beats 52%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FLPS Legacy: Beats 59%PolarWave: Beats 44%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2LPS Legacy: Beats 69%PolarWave: Beats 58%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2LPS Legacy: Beats 63%PolarWave: Beats 57%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2LPS Legacy: Beats 55%PolarWave: Beats 42%

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

    LPS Legacy
    83%
    PolarWave
    75%

  • Xcel CC

    LPS Legacy
    74%
    PolarWave
    65%

  • CEE Advanced

    LPS Legacy
    5%
    PolarWave
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    LPS Legacy
    74%
    PolarWave
    70%

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). What size is my system?

LPS Legacy

  1. 1D5CMHAH30EAKLPS Legacy2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    116% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.5score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 93
  2. 2D5CMHAH36EAKLPS Legacy3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 83.2Meets 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
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    84.6score / 100Heating 83 · Cooling 86
  3. 3D5CMRAH30EAKLPS Legacy2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 68.0Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    78.7score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 90

PolarWave

  1. 1EZ-36-HPBwith ducted air handler EZ-36-AHBPolarWave3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    105% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    17.4 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.3score / 100Heating 73 · Cooling 62
  2. 2EZ-36Z-M4BPolarWave3 tons · 33,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 61.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    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
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    67.1score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 73
  3. 3EZ-36-EHPBwith ducted air handler EZ-36-AHBPolarWave3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 59.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    75% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.7 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    16.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    45.0score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 30

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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