1. What is the Coefficient of Performance (COP)?

The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is a measure of a heat pump's efficiency, defined as the ratio of useful heat output to the required electrical energy input. It indicates how much heat energy is transferred compared to the work input.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the COP equation:

Where:

• \( COP \) — Coefficient of Performance (unitless)
• \( Q \) — Heat output (kW)
• \( W \) — Electrical input (kW)

Explanation: The equation shows the relationship between the energy output (heat delivered) and energy input (electricity consumed) of a heat pump system.

3. Importance of COP Calculation

Details: COP is crucial for evaluating heat pump efficiency, comparing different systems, and estimating operating costs. Higher COP values indicate more efficient systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter heat output and electrical input in kW. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the dimensionless COP value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good COP value for a heat pump?
A: Typical values range from 2 to 5. Higher is better, with values above 3 considered very efficient for most residential systems.

Q2: How does COP differ from efficiency?
A: While efficiency cannot exceed 100%, COP can be greater than 1 because heat pumps move heat rather than convert energy.

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

Q4: What's the difference between COP and SCOP?
A: SCOP (Seasonal COP) accounts for varying performance across different seasons, providing a more realistic annual efficiency measure.

Q5: Can COP be less than 1?
A: In normal operation, COP should be greater than 1. Values below 1 would indicate the system is performing worse than direct electric heating.