How to Check Your Heat Pump Efficiency
Modern heat pumps provide efficiency data through their controller or app. The key metric to monitor is the seasonal CoP (or COP shown on the controller). A well-performing residential ASHP should achieve CoP 3.0–4.5 depending on outdoor temperature and flow temperature settings.
Using Your Manufacturer App
Most brands provide smartphone apps with energy monitoring: Mitsubishi MELCloud, Daikin Online Controller, Vaillant multiMATIC, Samsung SmartThings all show running costs and efficiency data. Set a monthly reminder to check your CoP trend.
Signs of Declining Efficiency
- Electricity bills rising without changes in weather or usage
- CoP has dropped below 2.5 for typical conditions
- System running continuously without reaching target temperature
- Increased defrost frequency
What Can Reduce Efficiency
- Dirty evaporator coil (needs professional cleaning)
- Slightly low refrigerant charge (needs F-Gas engineer)
- Incorrect flow temperature settings
- Blocked air filter
Annual Service as the Solution
Annual servicing by a qualified engineer restores the system to peak efficiency. Efficiency degradation due to dirty coils, slightly-low refrigerant, and suboptimal settings is the most common cause of rising bills in heat pump systems.
Sources: Energy Systems Catapult and Ecodan specifications.
