COP, energy class, brand and real return
In this second part, we will continue in more detail and talk about the things that really determine whether a heat pump will save you money or become a source of constant costs and problems. These are: COP (coefficient of performance), energy class, choice of brand and return on investment.
What is COP and why is it so important?
COP идва от Coefficient of Performance – коефициент на ефективност. Най-просто казано, това е показателят, който показва колко топлина получавате срещу 1 kW изразходвана електроенергия.
Колкото по-висок е COP, толкова по-ниска е сметката ви за ток.
Пример от практиката:
- При подово отопление и температура на водата около 35°C, COP може да достигне 4,5
- При радиатори и температура около 50°C, COP обикновено пада до 3,2
- При лошо изолирана сграда, COP може да спадне дори до 2,8
Какво означава това в реални пари?
За къща от около 120 кв.м:
- Подово отопление → ~ 180 лв./месец
- Радиатори → ~ 260 лв./месец
- Без добра изолация → ~ 320 лв./месец
Разликата е осезаема и показва защо изборът на система и условията, при които работи, са толкова важни.
COP stands for Coefficient of Performance. Simply put, it is the indicator that shows how much heat you get for 1 kW of electricity consumed.
The higher the COP, the lower your electricity bill.
Practical example:
- With underfloor heating and a water temperature of around 35°C, COP can reach 4.5
- With radiators and a temperature of around 50°C, COP usually drops to 3.2
- In a poorly insulated building, COP can even drop to 2.8
What does this mean in real money?
For a house of around 120 sq m:
- Underfloor heating → ~ 180 BGN/month
- Radiators → ~ 260 BGN/month
- Without good insulation → ~ 320 BGN/month
The difference is tangible and shows why the choice of system and the conditions under which it operates are so important.
COP is not a constant – what does it depend on?
It is important to know that COP is not a fixed value. It changes depending on:
- the outside temperature
- the temperature at which the heating system operates
The colder it is outside and the higher the temperature the system requires, the greater the load on the heat pump.
That is why at Niko Therm we offer heat pumps with EVI technology, which maintain high efficiency even at low outside temperatures. They operate stably down to -20°C and can maintain water temperatures up to 60°C, making them suitable for older installations with radiators.
| Model | CGK020V4P-B | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside temperature ℃ | COP （/kW ） | ||||||||
| 30/35 | 35/40 | 40/45 | 45/50 | 50/55 | 55/60 | 60/65 | 65/70 | 70/75 | |
| -25 | 1.82 | 1.74 | 1.67 | 1.55 | 1.45 |
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| -20 | 2.18 | 2.12 | 1.96 | 1.81 | 1.64 |
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| -15 | 2.51 | 2.35 | 2.19 | 2.01 | 1.84 | 1.69 | 1.58 | 1.48 |
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| -7 | 3.09 | 2.84 | 2.66 | 2.41 | 2.20 | 2.02 | 1.84 | 1.64 | 1.45 |
| -2 | 3.32 | 3.15 | 2.95 | 2.63 | 2.47 | 2.26 | 2.05 | 1.78 | 1.60 |
| 2 | 3.89 | 3.55 | 3.28 | 3.01 | 2.74 | 2.56 | 2.28 | 2.01 | 1.70 |
| 7 | 4.47 | 4.02 | 3.67 | 3.33 | 2.99 | 2.78 | 2.54 | 2.29 | 1.79 |
| 12 | 5.33 | 4.73 | 4.29 | 3.81 | 3.41 | 3.10 | 2.71 | 2.54 | 2.16 |
| 20 | 6.17 | 5.41 | 4.78 | 4.15 | 3.68 | 3.32 | 3.02 | 2.58 | 2.19 |
Does the brand matter?
Yes, the brand matters. There are proven manufacturers on the market such as Mitsubishi, Daikin, Panasonic and others.
But the truth is that even the best brand will not work well if the system is incorrectly designed and installed.
A heat pump is not a standalone device – it is part of a complete system. If:
- the capacity is incorrectly calculated
- the hydraulics are not well designed
- the settings are not optimized
…this very quickly affects the bills and comfort.
At Niko Term, we approach each project individually:
- we calculate the exact required capacity
- we design the hydraulics according to the specific building
- we adjust the system for maximum efficiency
- we provide warranty and post-warranty service, as well as online monitoring
This is the value behind the choice – not just a product, but a working system.
Is it worth investing in a heat pump?
A heat pump is not a cheap purchase, but it is an investment with a clear and measurable return.
Real example:
A house of 120 sq m, underfloor heating and a heat pump of about 7 kW:
- Annual heating costs with a heat pump: ~ 1100 BGN
- With an electric boiler: ~ 3200 BGN
- With solid fuel: ~ 2500 BGN
The savings are between 1500 and 2000 BGN per year, which means that the system pays for itself in 3–4 years. After that, every winter brings real savings.
What to look for when choosing?
When choosing a heat pump, don’t just consider:
- The price
- The brand
- The advertising
Much more important is:
- Who is behind the project
- How the calculations were made
- How the system is planned
- Who will maintain it after installation
You don’t need to know all the technical details. You need to have a partner who thinks from the customer’s perspective, not the salesperson’s.
The heat pump – comfort 365 days a year
The heat pump – comfort 365 days a year
There is no universal recipe for choosing a heat pump. There is a right solution for a specific home.
At Niko Term, we approach each project individually, because comfort, efficiency and long-term savings start with the right choice.
If you are unsure about what power you need, whether your system is suitable or want a realistic cost estimate – contact us. We will help you choose the best solution for your home and budget.