SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) and COP (Coefficient of Performance) are metrics used to assess the efficiency of heat pumps, but they measure this efficiency in different contexts:
COP (Coefficient of Performance):
COP describes the instantaneous efficiency of a heat pump. It is the ratio of the amount of heat energy produced to the amount of electricity consumed at a certain point in time.
For example, if COP is 4, it means that the heat pump needs to consume 1 kilowatt of electricity to produce 4 kilowatts of thermal energy. This shows the instantaneous efficiency of the device under specific conditions.
SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance):
SCOP represents the average efficiency of the heat pump over the heating season. It takes into account changes in climatic conditions, building characteristics and energy requirements, settings and operating conditions.
SCOP is calculated as the ratio of the annual heating demand (expressed in heat watt-hours) to the annual electricity consumption (expressed in electricity watt-hours). This indicator is an index of the operating costs of the heat pump.
Main Differences:
Momentary efficiency vs. seasonal efficiency: COP measures efficiency at a specific moment in time and under specific conditions, while SCOP gives an average efficiency rating over the entire heating season, taking into account weather fluctuations and different operating conditions.
Application: COP is useful for evaluating and comparing the instantaneous efficiency of different heat pumps under standard conditions, while SCOP provides a more extensive view of how a heat pump will perform under real-world conditions throughout the season, which is important for understanding overall operating costs.