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LPS Legacy vs PolarWave heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, PolarWave scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. LPS Legacy has 58 outdoor models, PolarWave has 58 outdoor models. LPS Legacy and PolarWave have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
LPS Legacy and PolarWave on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, PolarWave scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • LPS Legacy
  • PolarWave
  • Other ranked manufacturers
LPS Lega…PolarWave

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingLPS LegacyPolarWave
Efficiency index53%median —54%median —
COP at 5°F51% (higher)median 1.9744% (higher)median 1.91
Capacity retention at 5°F49%median 67%57%median 71%
HSPF262%median 9.266%median 9.4
SEER255%median 18.559%median 19.0
EER242%median 10.643%median 10.5
Heating capacity at 5°F50%median 19,000 Btu/h59%median 20,900 Btu/h
Outdoor models5858
AHRI certifications146135

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardLPS LegacyPolarWave
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)58.6%34 models60.3%35 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)55.2%32 models53.4%31 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)3.4%2 models1.7%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)39.7%23 models41.4%24 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge3.4%2 models1.7%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate43.1%25 models46.6%27 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 8 groups where both have models
  • LPS Legacy
  • PolarWave
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up1.90239 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeLPS LegacyPolarWave
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons6 · index 61%8 · index 60%
Ducted, 2 tons4 · index 65%4 · index 69%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons13 · index 53%12 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons8 · index 54%12 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up3 · index 51%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons20 · index 53%16 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2 tons4 · index 47%4 · index 44%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons13 · index 47%12 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons7 · index 46%7 · index 51%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeLPS LegacyCold-climate score, best modelPolarWaveCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons81.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCSRBH18AAKwith ducted air handler DLFSDAH18XHK5 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 21175658686.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 213433286
Ducted, 2 tons79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCSRBH24AAKwith ducted air handler DLFSDAH24XAK4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21175657979.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212316081
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCURAH36ABKwith ducted air handler DLFULAH36XCX + CI3 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 21337220179.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB7 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 212316105
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCURAH48ABKwith ducted air handler DLFUAAH60XAK4 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21719770886.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB8 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 212316106
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAK11 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 21175658189.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC6 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 212316098
Non-ducted, 2 tons86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCSRBH24AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFSCBH24XAK2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21175656085.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212316084
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCMHBH36DAK2 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 21175657779.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B4 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 212316091
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCMHBH48EAK3 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21175657576.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-60FM-HH-MB4 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 212316110

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeLPS LegacyAll-around score, best modelPolarWaveAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCSRBH09AAKwith ducted air handler DLFSDAH09XAK6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175656885.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316078
Ducted, 2 tons80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCSRBH24AAKwith ducted air handler DLFSDAH24XAK4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175657980.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316081
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCMHBH30DAK12 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175650075.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ES-27Z-M3B12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316124
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCMHBH48EAK7 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175657682.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316095
Ducted, 5 tons and up57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCLRCH58AAKwith ducted air handler DLFLDAH58XHK3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175647741.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60-EHPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60AHB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213433280
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DLCPRBH18AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFPHBH18XAK20 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175658192.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316098
Non-ducted, 2 tons84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCSRBH24AAKwith ductless indoor unit DLFSHCH24XAK4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175658484.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316074
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCMHBH36DAK11 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175657782.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B10 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316091
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DLCMHBH48EAK5 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21175657577.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316094

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingLPS LegacyPolarWave
COP at 5°Fbeats 99% · 2.89DLCPRBH18AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 91% · 2.21ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 97% · 120%DLCPRBH18AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 95% · 113%ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 100% · 15.0DLCPRBH09AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 10.3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 99% · 20.9DLCMHBH48EAKDucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 24.6ES-27Z-M3BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 98% · 16.2DLCSRBH09AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 16.2ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 100% · 24,000 Btu/hDLCPRBH18AAKNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 56,500 Btu/hACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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