COPWerte

COP-Werte, or COP values, refer to the coefficient of performance of heating or cooling devices. The COP is defined as the ratio of useful heat (or cooling) delivered to the electrical energy input: COP = Qout / Win. It is a dimensionless number that expresses efficiency; a higher COP indicates more efficient operation.

COP values are determined under standardized test conditions specified by international or regional standards. For heat pumps, standards such as EN 14511 are commonly used; for other cooling devices, applicable ISO/EN standards apply. The measured COP depends on operating conditions, including ambient temperature, inlet and outlet temperatures, and load. Because conditions vary, COP is not a fixed property of a device and can differ between laboratory ratings and real-world use. Typical ranges are broad: heating-mode COP for air-source heat pumps commonly lies around 3 to 4.5, with higher values for ground-source systems; cooling-mode COP (where applicable) is often lower and may be considered alongside related metrics such as EER.

Applications and interpretation: COP values are used to compare the energy efficiency of heating and cooling equipment. In practice, many regions also use seasonal or annual metrics, such as seasonal COP (SCOP) or similar indicators, to reflect performance over a typical year and varying temperatures. COP remains a snapshot measure based on test conditions rather than a direct predictor of real-world energy use.

Limitations: COP does not account for all energy costs, such as auxiliary equipment, installation factors, or electricity-generation losses. It also depends on climate and operating conditions, so real-world performance can differ significantly from rated COP.

See also: Energy efficiency metrics, SCOP, EER, heat pumps.