THC Science

This article describes the Coefficient of Performance, or COP, and should not be confused with its seasonal average counterpart the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). Although related, the COP is not equal to the EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) or the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The EER and SEER are mutually exclusive.

COP

The COP is an efficiency rating system primarily used for Ground Source and Air Source Heat Pumps. The equation is based on the correlation between a two heating system: A system that converts electricity into another from of energy, and a fixed denominator; a heating system that uses electricity to produce heat by means of Thermal Resistance.

Equation

(Systems Total Capacity / Systems Total Electrical Usage) / (Electric heater capacity / One kW Hour) = COP

Or

(Capacity in "BTUH" / Electrical Usage in "kWh" ) / (3,412 BTUH / 1 kWh) = COP

The denominator: When using electrical resistance, the maximum amount of heat one kW can not produce more than 3,412 BTU per hour; thus, its efficiency is 100% with a COP of 1.00.

Other Fixed Variable: The EER, SEER, HSPF, and COP all vary depending on given conditions such as inside and outside temperature, altitude, and humidity. Example being; the hotter it is outside, the less efficient the air conditioner is. The cooler the desired temperature is in a conditioned space, or the higher the humidity is, the longer the system must run to meet that desired temperature. The standards used in the United States are set by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, more commonly known as the AHRI.

Real world example: Trane 4TWB3060 Single-Phase Heat Pump System. AHRI Number: 5315798 (56,000BTUH / 4.533kWh) / (3,412) = COP(3.620) To translate; the heat pump produces 3.62 times more heat per kWh than a 100% efficient electric heater. Or Electric heater: 1kWh = 3,412 BTUH Above Heat Pump: 1kWh = 12,353 BTUH (360.2% more efficient at the given variables set by AHRI)

COP for Cooling

Although the COP is primary used for rating the efficiency of heating, in theory it is also accurate to used for a cooling system. According to the law for Conservation of energy, energy can not be destroyed; therefor when you heat a given space you are not "producing energy", but moving it from one place to another. So when A heat pump heats a given space, it is also cooling a given space, moving it to the conditioned space. The formula is the same however the amount of heat displaced becomes a negative.

Example: Based of above example. (-56,000BTUH / 4.533kWh) / (-3,412) = COP(3.620) ^[1]

Derivation

According to the first law of thermodynamics, in a reversible system we can show that $Q_{hot}=Q_{cold}+W$ and $W=Q_{hot}-Q_{cold}$ , where $Q_{hot}$ is the heat taken in by the hot heat reservoir and $Q_{cold}$ is the heat given off by the cold heat reservoir.
Therefore, by substituting for W,

COP_{heating}={\frac {Q_{hot}}{Q_{hot}-Q_{cold}}}

For a heat pump operating at maximum theoretical efficiency (i.e. Carnot efficiency), it can be shown that ${\frac {Q_{hot}}{T_{hot}}}={\frac {Q_{cold}}{T_{cold}}}$ and $Q_{cold}={\frac {Q_{hot}T_{cold}}{T_{hot}}}$ , where $T_{hot}$ and $T_{cold}$ are the absolute temperatures of the hot and cold heat reservoirs respectively.

Given the same energy source and operating conditions, a higher COP heat pump will consume less purchased energy than one with a lower COP. The overall environmental impact of a heating or air conditioning installation depends on the source of energy used as well as the COP of the equipment. The operating cost to the consumer depends on the cost of energy as well as the COP or efficiency of the unit. Some areas provide two or more sources of energy, for example, natural gas and electricity. A high COP of a heat pump may not entirely overcome a relatively high cost for electricity compared with the same heating value from natural gas.

For example, the 2009 US average price per therm (100,000 BTU) of electricity was $3.38 while the average price per therm of natural gas was $1.16.^[2] Using these prices, a heat pump with a COP of 3.5 in moderate climate would cost $0.97^[3] to provide one therm of heat, while a high efficiency gas furnace with 95% efficiency would cost $1.22^[4] to provide one therm of heat. With these average prices, the heat pump costs 20% less^[5] to provide the same amount of heat. At 0 °F (-18 °C) COP is much lower. Then, the same system costs as much to operate as an efficient gas heater. The yearly savings will depend on the actual cost of electricity and natural gas, which can both vary widely.

A COP may help make a determination of system choice based on carbon contribution. Although a heat pump may cost more or less to operate (depending on many factors), it ma contribute more or less net carbon dioxide to the environment than using other types of fuel.

Notes

As the variables change, the actual COP changes. This also applies to the EER but NOT the SEER or HSPF. The SEER is an annual average of the EER throughout a given season and within a given region. The HSPF is an annual average of the COP throughout a given season and within a given region.

^ http://www.ahrinet.org/hvacr+industry+standards.aspx
^ Based on average prices of 11.55 cents per kWh for electricity [1] and $13.68 per thousand cubic feet for natural gas [2], and conversion factors of 29.308 kWh per therm and 97.2763 cubic feet per therm [3].
^ $3.38/3.5~$0.97
^ $1.16/.95~$1.22
^ ($1.16-$0.95)/$1.16~20%

External links

[1] ttp://www.ahrinet.org/hvacr+industry+standards.aspx

[2] Based on average prices of 11.55 cents per kWh for electricity [1] and $13.68 per thousand cubic feet for natural gas [2], and conversion factors of 29.308 kWh per therm and 97.2763 cubic feet per therm [3].

[3] $3.38/3.5~$0.97

[4] $1.16/.95~$1.22

[5] ($1.16-$0.95)/$1.16~20%

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+This article describes the Coefficient of Performance, or COP, and should not be confused with its seasonal average counterpart the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). Although related, the COP is not equal to the EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) or the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The EER and SEER are mutually exclusive.
-{{Original research|date=September 2012}}
+==COP==
-The '''coefficient of performance''' or '''COP''' (sometimes CP) of a [[heat pump]] is the ratio of the heating or cooling provided over the electrical energy consumed. The COP provides a measure of performance for heat pumps that is analogous to thermal efficiency for power cycles.
+The COP is an efficiency rating system primarily used for Ground Source and Air Source Heat Pumps. The equation is based on the correlation between a two heating system: A system that converts electricity into another from of energy, and a fixed denominator; a heating system that uses electricity to produce heat by means of [[Thermal Resistance]].
-== Equation ==
+==Equation==
+(Systems Total Capacity / Systems Total Electrical Usage) / (Electric heater capacity / One kW Hour) = COP
-The equation is:
-:<math>COP = \frac{ Q}{ W}</math>
-where
-* <math> Q \ </math> is the [[heat]] supplied to or removed from the reservoir.
-* <math>W \ </math> is the [[Mechanical work|work]] consumed by the heat pump.
+Or
-The COP for heating and cooling are thus different, because the heat reservoir of interest is different. When one is interested in how well a machine cools, the COP is the ratio of the heat removed from the cold reservoir to input work. However, for heating, the COP is the ratio to input work of the heat removed from the cold reservoir plus the heat added to the hot reservoir by the input work:
-:<math> COP_{heating}=\frac{| Q_{H}|}{ W}=\frac{| Q_{C}| +  W}{ W}</math>
+(Capacity in "BTUH" / Electrical Usage in "kWh" ) / (3,412 BTUH / 1 kWh) = COP
-:<math> COP_{cooling}=\frac{| Q_{C}|}{ W}</math>
-where
+The denominator: When using electrical resistance, the maximum amount of heat one kW can not produce more than 3,412 BTU per hour; thus, its efficiency is 100% with a COP of 1.00.
-*<math>  Q_{C} \ </math> is the heat removed from the cold reservoir.
-*<math>  Q_{H} \ </math> is the heat supplied to the hot reservoir.
+Other Fixed Variable: The EER, SEER, HSPF, and COP all vary depending on given conditions such as inside and outside temperature, altitude, and humidity. Example being; the hotter it is outside, the less efficient the air conditioner is. The cooler the desired temperature is in a conditioned space, or the higher the humidity is, the longer the system must run to meet that desired temperature. The standards used in the United States are set by the [[Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute]], more commonly known as the AHRI.
+Real world example: Trane 4TWB3060 Single-Phase Heat Pump System. AHRI Number: 5315798
+(56,000BTUH / 4.533kWh) / (3,412) = COP(3.620)
+To translate; the heat pump produces 3.62 times more heat per kWh than a 100% efficient electric heater.
+Or
+Electric heater: 1kWh =  3,412 BTUH
+Above Heat Pump: 1kWh = 12,353 BTUH (360.2% more efficient at the given variables set by AHRI)
+==COP for Cooling==
+Although the COP is primary used for rating the efficiency of heating, in theory it is also accurate to used for a cooling system. According to the law for [[Conservation of energy]], energy can not be destroyed; therefor when you heat a given space you are not "producing energy", but moving it from one place to another. So when A heat pump heats a given space, it is also cooling a given space, moving it to the conditioned space. The formula is the same however the amount of heat displaced becomes a negative.
+Example: Based of above example.
+(-56,000BTUH / 4.533kWh) / (-3,412) = COP(3.620)
+<Ref>http://www.ahrinet.org/hvacr+industry+standards.aspx</Ref>
 ==Derivation==
@@ Line 24: / Line 36: @@
 For a heat pump operating at maximum theoretical efficiency (i.e. Carnot efficiency), it can be shown that <math> \frac{Q_{hot}}{T_{hot}}=\frac{Q_{cold}}{T_{cold}}</math> and <math>Q_{cold}=\frac{Q_{hot}T_{cold}}{T_{hot}}</math>, where <math>T_{hot} </math> and <math>T_{cold}</math> are the absolute temperatures of the hot and cold heat reservoirs respectively.
-At maximum theoretical efficiency, </br>
-:<math> COP_{heating}=\frac{T_{hot}}{T_{hot}-T_{cold}} </math>
-Which is equal to the inverse of the ideal [[Carnot cycle]] efficiency because a heat pump is a heat engine operating in reverse.  Similarly, </br>
-:<math> COP_{cooling}=\frac{Q_{cold}}{Q_{hot}-Q_{cold}} =\frac{T_{cold}}{T_{hot}-T_{cold}}</math>
-It can also be shown that <math> COP_{cooling}=COP_{heating}-1 </math>. Note that these equations must use the absolute temperature (the Kelvin or Rankine scale.)
-<math>COP_{heating}</math> applies to heat pumps and <math>COP_{cooling}</math> applies to air conditioners or refrigerators. For heat engines, see [[Thermodynamic efficiency|Efficiency]]. Values for actual systems will always be less than these theoretical maximums. In Europe, ground source heat pump units are standard tested at <math>{T_{hot}}</math> is 35 °C (95 °F) and <math>{T_{cold}}</math> is 0 °C (32 °F). According to the above formula, the maximum achievable COP would be 8.8.  Test results of the best systems are around 4.5. When measuring installed units over a whole season and one also counts the energy needed to pump water through the piping systems, then seasonal COP's are around 3.5 or less. This indicates room for improvement.
-==Improving COP==
-As the formula shows, the COP of a heat pump system can be improved by reducing the temperature gap <math>T_{hot} </math> minus <math>T_{cold}</math> at which the system works. For a heating system this would mean two things: 1) reducing the output temperature to around {{convert|30|C|F}} which requires piped floor, wall or ceiling heating, or oversized water to air heaters and 2) increasing the input temperature (e.g. by using an oversized ground source or by access to a solar-assisted thermal bank <ref>Thermalbanks and Thermal Energy Storage, http://www.icax.co.uk/ThermalBanks.html</ref> ). For an air cooler, COP could be improved by using ground water as an input instead of air, and by reducing temperature drop on output side through increasing air flow. For both systems, also increasing the size of pipes and air canals would help to reduce noise and the energy consumption of pumps (and ventilators).{{OR|date=September 2012}}
-The heat pump itself can be improved by increasing the size of the internal heat exchangers relative to the power of the compressor, and to reduce the system's internal temperature gap over the compressor. This latter measure, however, makes such heat pumps unsuitable to produce output above roughly 40 °C (104 °F) which means that a separate machine is needed for producing hot tap water.{{OR|date=September 2012}}
-==Example==
-{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2012|comment=Note that the footnotes aren't refs.}}
-A geothermal heat pump operating at <math>COP_{heating}</math> 3.5 provides 3.5 units of heat for each unit of energy consumed (i.e. 1&nbsp;kWh consumed would provide 3.5&nbsp;kWh of output heat). The output heat comes from both the heat source and 1&nbsp;kWh of input energy, so the heat-source is cooled by 2.5&nbsp;kWh, not 3.5&nbsp;kWh.
-A heat pump of <math>COP_{heating}</math> 3.5, such as in the example above, could be less expensive to use than even the most efficient gas furnace except in areas where the electricity cost per unit is higher than 3.5 times the cost of natural gas (i.e. Connecticut or New York City).
-A heat pump cooler operating at <math>COP_{cooling}</math> 2.0 removes 2 units of heat for each unit of energy consumed (e.g. an air conditioner consuming 1&nbsp;kWh would remove 2&nbsp;kWh of heat from a building's air).
 Given the same energy source and operating conditions, a higher COP heat pump will consume less purchased energy than one with a lower COP. The overall environmental impact of a heating or air conditioning installation depends on the source of energy used as well as the COP of the equipment. The operating cost to the consumer depends on the cost of energy as well as the COP or efficiency of the unit. Some areas provide two or more sources of energy, for example, natural gas and electricity. A high COP of a heat pump may not entirely overcome a relatively high cost for electricity compared with the same heating value from natural gas.
@@ Line 51: / Line 41: @@
 For example, the 2009 US average price per therm (100,000 BTU) of electricity was $3.38 while the average price per therm of natural gas was $1.16.<ref>Based on average prices of 11.55 cents per kWh for electricity [http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_3.html] and $13.68 per thousand cubic feet for natural gas [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/ng/hist/n3010us3a.htm], and conversion factors of 29.308 kWh per therm and 97.2763 cubic feet per therm [http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/science/energy_calculator.html].</ref> Using these prices, a heat pump with a COP of 3.5 in moderate climate would cost $0.97<ref>$3.38/3.5~$0.97</ref> to provide one therm of heat, while a high efficiency gas furnace with 95% efficiency would cost $1.22<ref>$1.16/.95~$1.22</ref> to provide one therm of heat. With these average prices, the heat pump costs 20% less<ref>($1.16-$0.95)/$1.16~20%</ref> to provide the same amount of heat. At 0 °F (-18 °C) COP is much lower. Then, the same system costs as much to operate as an efficient gas heater. The yearly savings will depend on the actual cost of electricity and natural gas, which can both vary widely.
-However, a COP may help make a determination of system choice based on carbon contribution.  Although a heat pump may cost more to operate than a conventional natural gas or electric heater, depending on the source of electricity generation in one's area, it may contribute less net carbon dioxide to the environment than burning natural gas or heating fuel. If locally no green electricity is available, then carbon wise the best option would be to drive a heat pump on piped gas or oil, to store excess heat in the ground source for use in winter, while using the same machine also for producing electricity with a built-in [[Stirling engine]]. {{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}
+A COP may help make a determination of system choice based on carbon contribution.  Although a heat pump may cost more or less to operate (depending on many factors), it ma contribute more or less net carbon dioxide to the environment than using other types of fuel.
-==Conditions of use==
-{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2012}}
-While the COP is partly a measure of the efficiency of a heat pump, it is also a measure of the conditions under which it is operating: the COP of a given heat pump will rise as the input temperature increases or the output temperature decreases because it is linked to a warm temperature distribution system like [[underfloor heating]].
 ==See also==
@@ Line 67: / Line 53: @@
 ==Notes==
+As the variables change, the actual COP changes. This also applies to the EER but NOT the SEER or HSPF.
+The SEER is an annual average of the EER throughout a given season and within a given region.
+The HSPF is an annual average of the COP throughout a given season and within a given region.
 {{Reflist|2}}

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Revision as of 16:58, 22 April 2013

COP

Equation

COP for Cooling

Derivation

See also

Notes

External links

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