1. What is a Heat Pump COP Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the Coefficient of Performance (COP) for heat pumps, which measures heating efficiency.

Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals and engineers evaluate heat pump performance by comparing heat output to work input.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \text{COP} \) — Coefficient of Performance (dimensionless)
• \( Q_h \) — Heat output (Joules)
• \( W \) — Work input (Joules)

Explanation: The heat delivered to the hot reservoir is divided by the work required to transfer that heat.

3. Importance of COP Calculation

Details: Higher COP values indicate more efficient heat pumps. Typical values range from 2-5 for air-source heat pumps.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both heat output and work input in Joules. Both values must be > 0. The calculator handles the unit conversion.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good COP value?
A: Values above 3 are generally considered efficient. Modern heat pumps often achieve COPs of 4-5 under ideal conditions.

Q2: Can COP be less than 1?
A: For heat pumps, COP should always be >1. Values <1 would indicate the system is less efficient than direct electrical heating.

Q3: How does COP relate to energy efficiency?
A: COP directly measures efficiency - a COP of 4 means 4 units of heat are delivered per 1 unit of electrical energy consumed.

Q4: What's the difference between COP and EER?
A: COP is for heating, EER is for cooling. They measure similar concepts but for different operational modes.

Q5: Does outdoor temperature affect COP?
A: Yes, COP typically decreases as outdoor temperature drops, since more work is required to extract heat from colder air.