What is the SCOP?
Among the many features that contribute to the performance of a swimming pool heat pump, SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) plays a crucial role.
In this article, we will explore in simple terms what SCOP is in a swimming pool heat pump, how it is calculated, and why it is important for the energy efficiency of your pool heating system.
Understand the SCOP
The SCOP, or Seasonal Coefficient of Performance, is a key indicator of a heat pump’s energy efficiency.
By taking into account a range of factors such as outdoor temperature, pool temperature, operating cycles and system efficiency, the SCOP provides an overview of the heat pump’s energy performance over an entire season.
It measures the overall performance of the heat pump over an entire season, from 1 May to 30 September. Unlike the COP (Coefficient of Performance), which measures efficiency at a specific point in time and in an ideal environment, the SCOP takes into account variations in outdoor temperature and the pump’s operating cycles over a longer period.
The SCOP calculation method
In very simple terms, the SCOP of a swimming pool heat pump is calculated by taking several factors into account, the most important of which are:
- Outdoor temperature: The SCOP takes into account variations in outdoor temperature throughout the season. It is generally easier for a heat pump to operate efficiently in high temperature conditions (which is not the case at the beginning and end of the season).
- Pool water temperature: It also takes into account the temperature to which the heat pump must heat the pool water. The higher the pool water temperature, the more the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance may be affected.
- System efficiency: The quality and size of the compressor and heat transfer system (evaporator and condenser) play a major role in the overall performance of the heat pump and therefore in the SCOP.
Its importance
The SCOP is a crucial indicator for assessing the energy efficiency of a pool heat pump. The higher the SCOP, the greater the heat pump’s ability to produce heat using a minimum amount of electrical energy. This translates into significant energy savings over the long term, as well as a reduced environmental footprint. The SCOP is then presented in the form of a label indicating the appliance’s heating performance class from A to F. Polytropic has been working on this initiative within the FPP for a number of years, and plays a major role in the swimming pool market, notably through its participation in the creation of the European standard on the environmental performance efficiency of domestic swimming pools NF EN 17645.norme européenne sur l’efficience des performances environnementale des piscines domestiques NF EN 17645.
Ensure that all COP or SCOP values are accompanied by the reference standard used, namely EN 17 645 for swimming pool heat pumps. Without this, the values have no legitimacy.
The SCOP of a swimming pool heat pump is an essential factor to understand before investing in a heat pump to heat your swimming pool water. By choosing a heat pump with a high SCOP, you can enjoy a comfortably heated swimming pool while minimising your energy consumption.
To learn more and better understand this data and its accuracy, please refer to our article Swimming pool heat pumps: relevant data.Pompes à chaleur de piscine : les données pertinentes
