You may have heard the term “Coefficient of Performance” when reading up about heat pump water heaters. Coefficient of Performance (COP for short) is a measure of a heat pump’s efficiency; namely the ratio of how much heat it produces for water heating to the power input into the water heater.

A COP of greater than one indicates the system produces more heat energy than it consumes in electrical energy. Basically, the higher the COP, the more efficient the heat pump.

A look at what Coefficient of Performance (COP) means on a heat pump water heater. The higher the figure, the more efficient the system.
Heat Pump COP Formula.

Want to know more about how heat pumps work?

Here is a quick summary of how a heat pump water heater works. In contrast to a traditional electric system that heats the water directly using an electric element, a heat pump achieves its efficiency by extracting heat from outside ambient air and transferring this energy to your water.

A look at what Coefficient of Performance (COP) means on a heat pump water heater. The higher the figure, the more efficient the system.
A quick guide on how a heat pump water heater works.

The Rheem Ambiheat® HDc-270, Rheem AmbiPower® MDc-180, and Rheem AmbiPower® 280e Heat Pumps are among the best in class when it comes to efficiency. The Rheem Ambiheat® HDc-270 and Rheem AmbiPower® MDc-180 have an average COP of 4.5, meaning the systems supply 4.5 times as much heat energy to the water as they consume in electricity.¹ The Rheem AmbiPower® 280e has an average COP of 5.2.¹

Other benefits of the Rheem Heat Pumps include:

  • Save on your hot water energy consumption when replacing a similar-sized electric water heater: Up to 70% with the Rheem AmbiPower® MDc-180 Heat Pump, ip to 73% with the Rheem Ambiheat® HDc-270 Heat Pump, and up to 73.9% with the Rheem AmbiPower® 280e Heat Pump.²
  • Microchannel technology that improves heat transfer, provides quicker heating and more tank coverage resulting in greater efficiency.
  • 2.4kW backup element providing hot water in very cold conditions.
  • Can operate in temperatures ranging from -5°C to +43°C.⁴
  • An average heating capacity of 4kW that provides users with plenty of hot water.¹
A look at what Coefficient of Performance (COP) means on a heat pump water heater. The higher the figure, the more efficient the system.
How COP works on a Heat Pump water heater.

THINKING OF INSTALLING A HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER?

If you’re thinking of installing a heat pump water heater or would like more information, get in touch with your plumber or contact Rheem today.

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Disclaimers:

  1. An average COP of 4.5 (for Ambiheat HDc-270 and AmbiPower MDc-180) and 5.2 (for AmbiPower 280e) were measured under test conditions with an ambient air temperature of 19˚C/15˚C (Dry Bulb/Wet Bulb) and heating of the water from 15˚C to 60˚C during water heater operation. The average heating capacity of 4kW was measured under the same test conditions. The actual COP and heating capacity of the product at any given time will be impacted by a number of factors, including the ambient air and cold-water inlet temperatures at the place of installation and time of day / season of operation.
  2. Energy savings of up to 73% (for Ambiheat HDc-270), 70% (for AmbiPower MDc-180) & 73.9% (for AmbiPower 280e) are based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling using a medium load in Zone 3 and apply when replacing a similar sized storage electric water heater. Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff.
  3. The specified -5˚C to 43˚C temperature range is the operational range of the Heat Pump. The electric element activates when the ambient air temperature is outside this range and heating of the water is required and if the heat pump has been heating in between -5°C to 7°C for 200 minutes.

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