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 heat output to work input. It indicates how much heat energy is transferred per unit of work energy consumed.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the COP equation:

Where:

• \( Q_h \) — Heat output in watts
• \( W \) — Work input in watts

Explanation: The equation shows that higher COP values indicate more efficient heat pumps, as they deliver more heat energy relative to the work energy consumed.

3. Importance of COP Calculation

Details: COP is crucial for evaluating heat pump performance, comparing different systems, and estimating energy costs. Higher COP means better efficiency and lower operating costs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter heat output and work input in watts. 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 values indicate better efficiency. Modern heat pumps often have COPs between 3 and 4 under normal operating conditions.

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 EER?
A: EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) is similar but used for cooling systems. Both measure efficiency but under different conditions.

Q5: Can COP be less than 1?
A: In theory yes, but in practice heat pumps are designed to maintain COP > 1 for efficient operation.