What is COP value?
The COP value (Coefficient of Performance) is a rating that indicates how efficiently a heat pump operates. It expresses the ratio between the heat delivered and the electrical energy consumed. A COP of 4 means the heat pump produces 4 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity.
How is COP calculated?
The formula is straightforward:
COP = heat output (kW) / electrical input (kW)
The higher the COP, the more efficient the heat pump. In practice, COP values typically range between 3 and 5.
Applications
The COP value is a key criterion when selecting heating systems:
- Air-to-water heat pumps — COP between 2.5 and 4, depending on outdoor temperature
- Ground-source heat pumps — COP between 4 and 5, more stable due to constant ground temperature
- Water-source heat pumps — COP up to 5.5 with favourable water temperatures
- Energy performance calculations — the COP is a major factor in energy ratings
Important to know
The COP is a snapshot measured under specific test conditions. In practice, the SCOP (Seasonal COP) is also used, which reflects average efficiency over an entire heating season and gives a more realistic picture.
Related terms
- Heat pump
- Energy label
- Sustainable building
- Insulation
- Geothermal energy
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