Energy & Environment · Heat and efficiency / Principles and inquiry
Heat pump and performance coefficient experiment guide
Vary temperature lift and compressor power to explain heating output greater than electrical input.
How does it work?
Heating combines electrical input with heat moved from outside. A COP above one still conserves energy.
Key relationship
COPrev = Th/(Th − Tc) · COP = 1 + f(COPrev − 1) · Qhot = W + Qcold
Try this investigation
- Vary temperature lift and compressor power to explain heating output greater than electrical input.
- Run and record each of the three reference settings.
- Change one variable in each comparison and compare its energy results with the baseline.
Interpreting your results
With 500 W electrical input and 1500 W heating, how much heat comes from outside?
1000 W · Heating combines electrical input with heat moved from outside. A COP above one still conserves energy.
Assumptions and limitations
This steady heating model applies quality to reversible COP above the resistance-heating baseline of one. Defrosting, refrigerants, exchangers and auxiliary heating are omitted.