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Coefficient of Performance (COP) Formula:
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The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is a measure of a heat pump's efficiency, defined as the ratio of heat output to the electrical energy input. Higher COP values indicate more efficient heat pumps.
The calculator uses the COP formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows how much heat energy is transferred per unit of electrical energy consumed. A COP of 3 means the heat pump delivers 3 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity used.
Details: COP is crucial for evaluating heat pump efficiency, comparing different models, estimating operating costs, and understanding environmental impact. It helps in making informed decisions about heating system selection.
Tips: Enter both heat output and electrical input in kilowatts (kW). Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the COP as a dimensionless ratio.
Q1: What is a good COP value for a heat pump?
A: Typically, a COP above 3 is considered good for air-source heat pumps, while ground-source heat pumps often have COPs between 3 and 5.
Q2: How does COP relate to efficiency?
A: COP directly represents efficiency - higher COP means more heat output per unit of electrical input, making the system more efficient.
Q3: Can COP be less than 1?
A: For heat pumps, COP should always be greater than 1 (typically 2-5). Values less than 1 would indicate the system is performing worse than simple electric resistance heating.
Q4: How does temperature affect COP?
A: COP decreases as the temperature difference between heat source and delivery increases. Heat pumps are most efficient in moderate climates.
Q5: What's the difference between COP and EER?
A: COP measures heating efficiency, while EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures cooling efficiency. They use different reference conditions but both indicate system efficiency.