When to use this calculator
Compare delivered heating energy with electrical input for a measured interval. Energy quantities must cover the same interval and system boundary. COP is not a percentage efficiency.
Explore the heat & thermal change calculators for other questions in this topic. For a related calculation, use the Ideal Gas Internal Energy Change Calculator: Calculate ideal-gas internal-energy change using an entered heat capacity.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Heat Pump COP: a worked example
The values below are an illustrative example, not a recommendation. Replace them with measurements or assumptions that match your question.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Delivered heat energy | 4,000 |
| Electrical input energy in same units | 1,000 |
| Result | 4 |
- Check the input labels and enter the example values above.
- Apply the relationship: Heating COP = delivered heat/electrical input.
- The result is 4 , rounded for display.
How to interpret your result
Energy quantities must cover the same interval and system boundary. COP is not a percentage efficiency.
Heating within a phase uses specific heat; phase changes use latent heat. Material properties vary with temperature. Ideal conduction calculations omit several real-world heat-transfer paths.
Frequently asked questions
Does heating energy include boiling automatically?
No. Energy to reach a boiling temperature and latent energy to vaporise liquid are separate contributions.
When is the heat pump cop calculator useful?
Compare delivered heating energy with electrical input for a measured interval. Energy quantities must cover the same interval and system boundary. COP is not a percentage efficiency.
How do I use the heat pump cop calculator?
Enter delivered heat energy, electrical input energy in same units. The result updates automatically. Use the units shown beside each input; the example values illustrate the method.
Which formula does this calculator use?
Heating COP = delivered heat/electrical input.
What should I check before using the result?
Energy quantities must cover the same interval and system boundary. COP is not a percentage efficiency.
How are results rounded?
Scalar numbers display up to six decimal places, with scientific notation for very large or small values. Text, fraction, date and schedule outputs use the format described on the tool. Intermediate calculations use JavaScript floating-point arithmetic. Keep sensible precision for your measurements.
Further reading
For background on this topic, see OpenStax: thermal expansion ↗. This is a topic reference, not an external review or endorsement of this tool.
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