Cold-Climate Air-Source Heat Pump COP Degradation & Balance Point Dataset
Sub-freezing ambient temperature spectra (-25°F to +65°F) COP degradation, sensible heating capacity retention, and auxiliary resistive staging economics referencing AHRI 210/240 performance test points.
1. Abstract & Dataset Scope
Provides a source-informed deterministic benchmark matrix modeling heating Coefficient of Performance (COP), delivered thermal capacity, electrical input power, and electric resistance auxiliary staging across 20 ambient outdoor temperature points (-25°F to +65°F) under AHRI 210/240 and DOE Appendix M1 calculation principles.
2. Technical Methodology & Benchmark Formulation
Deterministic thermodynamic modeling incorporating empirical heating test point references (AHRI 210/240), frost accumulation and defrost cycle penalties, and compressor power draw scaling across a representative 3-ton nominal residential heat pump heating a standard residential building envelope.
3. Data Dictionary & Variable Definitions
| Variable Name | Symbol | Unit | Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Ambient Temperature (°F) | T_amb_f | °F | Float | Dry-bulb outdoor ambient temperature in Fahrenheit | 5 |
| Outdoor Ambient Temperature (°C) | T_amb_c | °C | Float | Dry-bulb outdoor ambient temperature in Celsius | -15 |
| Nominal Compressor COP | COP_nom | Dimensionless | Float | Carnot and inverter-modeled nominal heating efficiency ratio | 2.2 |
| Defrost Penalty Factor | K_defrost | Multiplier | Float | Efficiency derating factor during active or pending coil defrost | 1 |
| Effective Compressor COP | COP_eff | Dimensionless | Float | Net heating efficiency factoring defrost cycle overhead | 2.2 |
| Capacity Retention | Cap_ret_pct | % of 47°F | Float | Available sensible heat output relative to nominal rating | 76 |
| Delivered Heating Output | Q_heat | BTU/hr | Float | Total sensible heat energy supplied to the conditioned space | 27360 |
| Building Heat Loss | Q_loss | BTU/hr | Float | Estimated building heat transmission demand at target outdoor temperature | 32500 |
| Thermal Deficit | Q_deficit | BTU/hr | Float | Unmet heating demand requiring auxiliary staging | 5140 |
| Auxiliary Resistance Heat | P_aux | kW | Float | Engaged electric resistance strip element heating power | 1.51 |
| Compressor Power Draw | P_comp | kW | Float | Electrical input power demand of the inverter compressor | 3.64 |
| Total Electrical Load | P_total | kW | Float | Combined electrical power draw (compressor + auxiliary strips) | 5.15 |
| Combined System COP | COP_sys | Dimensionless | Float | Overall heating efficiency including strip heat contribution | 1.85 |
4. Sample Data Records Preview
Displaying 6 representative rows (Full dataset contains 20 Records)| temp f | temp c | cop nominal | defrost factor | effective cop | capacity retention pct | delivered heat btu | aux heat kw | total load kw | system cop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 8.3 | 4.72 | 1 | 4.72 | 100 | 36000 | 0 | 0.71 | 4.72 |
| 35 | 1.7 | 3.97 | 0.903 | 3.58 | 100 | 32508 | 0 | 1.43 | 3.58 |
| 17 | -8.3 | 2.74 | 0.985 | 2.7 | 98 | 34749 | 0 | 2.99 | 2.7 |
| 5 | -15 | 2.2 | 1 | 2.2 | 76 | 27360 | 1.51 | 5.15 | 1.85 |
| -5 | -20.6 | 1.74 | 1 | 1.74 | 58 | 20880 | 4.87 | 8.39 | 1.31 |
| -15 | -26.1 | 1.36 | 1 | 1.36 | 44 | 15840 | 7.81 | 11.22 | 1.11 |
5. Limitations & Engineering Disclaimer
This dataset provides modeled engineering benchmarks and reference calculations. It is not certified laboratory test data, does not represent specific manufacturer equipment performance, does not constitute AHRI or ENERGY STAR compliance certification, and does not replace professional HVAC Manual J/S sizing or manufacturer engineering specifications.
6. Dataset Citation (BibTeX / APA / IEEE)
When referencing this dataset in academic preprints, technical reports, or computational tooling, please cite using the formal reference metadata below:
APA Style
IEEE Style
BibTeX Record
@dataset{powerlab_2026_heatpump_dataset,
author = {Miad S. and {PowerLab Clean Energy Engineering Group}},
title = {Cold-Climate Air-Source Heat Pump COP Degradation & Balance Point Dataset},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Figshare},
version = {1.1.0},
doi = {10.6084/m9.figshare.33470950},
url = {https://www.powelab.org/datasets/cold-climate-heat-pump-cop-degradation-benchmark}
}