Skip to content

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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 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.

LPS Legacy

  1. 1D5CMHAH48FAKLPS Legacy4 tons · 47,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 98% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    98% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.2 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    75.5score / 100
  2. 2D5CMHAH55FAKLPS Legacy4.5 tons · 52,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 86% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    86% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.05 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    66.0score / 100
  3. 3D5CLHAH48AAKwith ductless indoor unit D5FLCAH48XAKLPS Legacy4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 90% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.96 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    60.2score / 100

PolarWave

  1. 1EZ-48Z-M5BPolarWave3.5 tons · 43,000 Btu/h · DuctlessKeeps 78% of its heat at 5°FMeets 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
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Seasonal efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Good
    45.0score / 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.

Open the advanced view