Home
Back
Heat Pump Efficiency Formula:
| From: | To: |
The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is a measure of heat pump efficiency that represents the ratio of heat output to electrical energy input. It indicates how effectively a heat pump transfers heat compared to the energy it consumes.
The calculator uses the COP formula:
Where:
Explanation: The COP represents how many units of heat energy are produced per unit of electrical energy consumed. Higher COP values indicate more efficient heat pump operation.
Details: Calculating COP is essential for evaluating heat pump performance, comparing different models, estimating operating costs, and ensuring optimal energy efficiency in heating and cooling systems.
Tips: Enter heat output and power input values in kilowatts (kW). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is a good COP value for heat pumps?
A: Typical COP values range from 2.0 to 5.0. Higher values indicate better efficiency. Modern heat pumps typically achieve COP values of 3.0-4.0 under standard conditions.
Q2: How does temperature affect COP?
A: COP decreases as the temperature difference between heat source and heat sink increases. Heat pumps are most efficient in moderate temperature conditions.
Q3: Can COP be less than 1?
A: While theoretically possible in extremely unfavorable conditions, COP values below 1 are rare in properly functioning heat pumps as they would indicate the system is less efficient than direct electric heating.
Q4: What's the difference between COP and efficiency?
A: COP is a ratio of energy output to electrical input, while efficiency typically refers to the percentage of input energy converted to useful output. COP can exceed 100% (values >1) because heat pumps move heat rather than generate it.
Q5: How often should COP be measured?
A: COP should be measured during system commissioning and periodically during operation to monitor performance degradation and ensure optimal efficiency.