What is COP?

You may hear the term COP in relation to heat pumps. COP stands for Coefficient of Performance in a heat pump or refrigerant system and is the ratio of heating provided (heating delivered to your house) to the energy required (electricity used to produce this heat).

COP = Capacity (W) / Input Power (W)

This electricity is mainly used by the external heat pump unit and largely by the compressor within this unit. The compressor is the heart of the system because it is responsible for circulating the refrigerant that will move heat into your home.

What impacts COP?

The main variables that impact COP are:

• The outdoor temperature
• The type of heat pump
• The system design
• The flow and return temperature

Tips to improve heat pump COP and SCOP

Here are a few tips on how to improve your heating system’s COP:

• Proper insulation: Ensure your home is adequately insulated to minimise heat loss, allowing your heat pump to work more efficiently.
• Optimal control settings: Ensure the heat pump controller and thermostats are set up correctly to maintain the optimal temperature settings for your heat pump.
• Regular service: Schedule regular service to ensure your heat pump is running efficiently. This includes cleaning or replacing filters, checking for refrigerant leaks, and inspecting the system components.