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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, ductless 3.5–4.5 tons

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

LPS Legacy

  1. 1D5CMHAH48FAKLPS Legacy4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 75.5Meets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    11.3 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    76.7score / 100Heating 74 · Cooling 79
  2. 2D5CMRAH48FAKLPS Legacy4 tons · 46,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 57.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Great
    70.1score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 83
  3. 3D5CMHAH55FAKLPS Legacy4.5 tons · 51,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 66.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.3 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    64.2score / 100Heating 53 · Cooling 75

PolarWave

  1. 1EZ-48Z-M5BPolarWave3.5 tons · 43,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 45.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.8 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    52.8score / 100Heating 37 · Cooling 69

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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