Short answer
Seasonal COP converts useful heat into electricity demand. A COP of 3.4 means 3.4 kWh heat per kWh electricity. Whether that is economic also depends on investment and the gas alternative.
Important variables
- Useful heat demand
- Realistic seasonal COP
- Electricity and gas price changes
- Investment, maintenance and period
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Worked example
18,000 kWh heat at COP 3.4 needs about 5,294 kWh electricity. At €0.30/kWh that is roughly €1,588 per year before maintenance.
Break-even: What changes the result?
The COP crossover shows the efficiency at which present-value costs are equal. If no root exists in the range, none is invented.
Common mistakes
- Confusing rated and seasonal COP
- Ignoring gas efficiency
- Comparing operating cost only
- Treating energy prices as forecasts
Terms in this guide
SCOP / seasonal performanceRatio of heat delivered to electricity used over a season. It is more informative than one laboratory COP.Heat pumpHeating system that uses electricity to raise environmental heat to a useful temperature.COPInstantaneous ratio of heat output to electricity input under specified conditions.Gas pricePrice per fuel kWh; heating cost must account for system efficiency.
Sources & assumptions
- RATIOXA — Methodology and formulas (2026-08-17)
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