Heat pump’s coefficient of performance

Definition

Heat pump’s coefficient of performance (COP) is a measure of its efficiency, defined as the ratio of heat output to the work input. Higher COP values indicate more efficient heat pumps.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The COP for heating mode is given by $\text{COP}_{\text{heating}} = \frac{Q_H}{W}$, where $Q_H$ is the heat delivered and $W$ is the work input.
2. The COP for cooling mode is given by $\text{COP}_{\text{cooling}} = \frac{Q_C}{W}$, where $Q_C$ is the heat removed from the cooled space.
3. COP can vary with temperature differences between the source and sink; larger temperature differences generally result in lower COP values.
4. Real-world factors like friction and non-ideal gas behavior typically cause actual COP values to be lower than theoretical maximums.
5. Increasing insulation or improving maintenance can help maintain higher COP values in practical applications.

Related terms

Heat Engine: A device that converts thermal energy into mechanical work, typically operating between two reservoirs at different temperatures.

Refrigerator:

A device that transfers heat from a cooler internal environment to a warmer external environment, usually measured by its coefficient of performance.

Second Law of Thermodynamics:

$This law states that entropy of an isolated system always increases over time and that energy transfers are not completely efficient$.