If youāve been researching air conditioners, youāve probably seen all sorts of numbers associated with each model. One of these numbers is the Coefficient of Performance (COP). While itās good to gather as much data as you can before you make a purchasing decision, you also need to know what that data means if itās going to help you make the best selection possible.
Measuring COP
Calculating the COP for any air conditioning model is relatively simple. The number you see displayed on the box is the ratio of energy input to cooling output. For the most part, the air conditioners youāre probably been looking at have a COP of between 2.5 and 4.0, although newer models are beginning to appear with COPs of up to 5.0.
The higher the COP, of course, the more efficient the air conditioner, so it makes sense to take this number into account when youāre making your purchase. You should also keep in mind, though, that the COP is not a constant measurement. The warmer it is outside, the lower your unitās COP will be. However, this is standard across all units, so a relative COP comparison is still a viable evaluation method.
If youāre not sure what COP you should look for or whether a lower number will be effective for your home (especially if you only need to cool a small space), you should talk to a professional who can help you match the right COP level to your particular living space.
Improving Efficiency
While itās always a good idea to get an air conditioner with the best energy efficiency ratings possible, thatās not the only thing you can do to reduce your energy usage and keep your cooling costs down. For instance, there are plenty of ways to keep your home naturally cooler without even turning on the air conditioner.
Even when you do need to flip it on, anything else you can do to reduce the indoor temperature will make it easier for your air conditioner to keep your house comfortable. So put up some awnings, run the ceiling fan and close the blinds to block out that harsh afternoon sun. The more you can do to reduce your indoor temperature naturally, the less your air conditioner will have to do, and the lower your cooling costs will be.