Domestic Annual Heat Pump System Efficiency DAHPSE
Domestic Annual Heat Pump System Efficiency (DAHPSE) was developed by bre to show the annual efficiency of a heat pump in a similar way to the use of SEDBUK for boilers, to account for elements that are missing from other efficiency assessments allowing for better comparisons of different actual products.
Whilst there are a number of ways to calculate the efficiency of a system such as Coefficient of Performance (COP), Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) or Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF) they all have varying degrees of accuracy. For example COP is limited when considering efficiency throughout a whole year, both COP and SCOP exclude dwelling heat losses, the impact of avereaged climate data, and hot water operation, heating hours, heat pump cycles and so on. Whilst on the other hand whilst SPF allows greater flexibility for the inclusion or exclusion of various aspecst depending on the boundaries considered (SPF1-4) they often don't for example include the impact auxiliary components such back-up direct-electric heaters or circulation pumps.
Heat Pump (HP) Compliance for the Building Regulations Part F for dwellings is carried our through SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) the UK’s National Calculation Methodology for the energy rating of dwellings based on annual energy. The revised SAP calculation method for Heat Pumps (also developed by bre) is based on the Ecodesign HP test data (EN14825 and EN16147) and the EN15316-4-2 calculation method. The test data requirements and SAP HP calculation is published in CALCM:01 assessing the annual energy consumption for space and hot water including these auxiliary components such as pumps and backup heating.
The intention of DAHPSE is to provide a route to estimate and compare the annual efficiency of real heat pumps, in the full real, if you like situation of use scenario. The bre DAHPSE estimator is on online tool that helps to show DAHPSE for any heat pump system that is listed in the bre Product Characteristics Database (PCDB).
For further information see related articles and under each of the secttions bre DAHPSE beta Efficiency estimator, bre DAHPSE beta Background, bre DAHPSE beta Dwelling heat loss and bre DAHPSE beta Hot water consumption
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accredited energy assessor.
- Air tightness.
- Are Energy Performance Certificates accurate?
- Articles about electricity.
- Building energy models.
- Building heating systems.
- Building performance metrics.
- Carbon ratings for buildings.
- Coefficient of Performance CoP
- Display energy certificate.
- Economy 7.
- Electrical consumption.
- Electrical energy.
- Electrical power.
- Electrical safety.
- Electricity bill.
- Energy certificates for buildings.
- Energy performance certificate EPC.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
- Energy related products regulations.
- Energy price crisis: ECA calls for energy levy reform.
- Energy cost.
- Energy tariffs.
- Glossary of electrical terms.
- Green deal
- Heating fuel.
- Heating plant emission rate.
- Heating system glandless circulator.
- Levelised cost of heat LCOH.
- Low carbon heating and cooling.
- Minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES).
- National Calculation Method.
- National Retrofit Strategy NRS.
- Non-domestic private rented property minimum standard.
- Off-peak electricity.
- Passivhaus vs SAP.
- Performance gap.
- Plant size ratio.
- Product Characteristics Database PCDB.
- Room data sheet.
- SAP.
- Seasonal Coefficient of Performance.
- Seasonal energy efficiency ratio..
- Seasonal performance factor.
- Simplified Building Energy Model.
- The EPC consultation in the context of changes to the NCM.
- The Home Energy Model and Future Homes Standard assessment wrapper.
- U-value conventions in practice: Worked examples using BR 443.
- What is COP and EER?
Featured articles and news
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.





















