1. What is Heat Pump COP?

The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is a measure of a heat pump's efficiency, representing the ratio of heat output to energy input. A higher COP indicates a more efficient heat pump system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the COP formula:

Where:

• Heat Output — Thermal energy delivered by the heat pump (kW)
• Energy Input — Electrical energy consumed by the heat pump (kW)

Explanation: The COP is a dimensionless number that quantifies how effectively a heat pump converts electrical energy into thermal energy.

3. Importance of COP Calculation

Details: Calculating COP is essential for evaluating heat pump efficiency, comparing different systems, estimating operating costs, and ensuring optimal performance of heating and cooling systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both heat output and energy input in kilowatts (kW). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good COP value for a heat pump?
A: Typically, a COP of 3-4 is considered good for modern heat pumps, meaning they produce 3-4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.

Q2: How does COP differ from efficiency?
A: While efficiency is typically expressed as a percentage (≤100%), COP can be greater than 1 (often 2-5) because heat pumps move heat rather than generate it.

Q3: Does COP change with temperature?
A: Yes, COP typically decreases as the temperature difference between heat source and delivery increases.

Q4: What's the difference between heating and cooling COP?
A: Heat pumps have separate COPs for heating and cooling modes, calculated differently based on the specific operation.

Q5: Can COP be less than 1?
A: While theoretically possible in extremely inefficient systems, practical heat pumps always have COP > 1, typically ranging from 2 to 5.