Factors Influencing Heat Pump COP and SCOP with Defrost Cycles: An Economic Perspective

This paper examines the factors influencing Coefficient of Performance (COP) and Seasonal COP for air-to-air heat pump systems subject to frost and defrost cycles, emphasizing economic performance modeling over theoretical thermodynamics. We integrate real-world data from field installations in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, highlighting cost-performance tradeoffs, break-even COP thresholds for cost savings, and the impact of supplemental heating. The paper underscores the
importance of climate-specific analysis and smart control (e.g.
defrost minimization, optimal switchover to backup heat) in
maximizing both the economic and environmental benefits of
heat pumps in cold regions.