SEasonal PErformance factor and MOnitoring SEPEMO
The UCL Energy Futures Lab Briefing Paper "Accelerating the transition to heat pumps: measuring real-world performance and enabling peer-to-peer learning" by Dr Richard Carmichael published September 2022 describes SEPEMO Seasonal Performance factor and monitoring for heat pump systems in the building sector, as a project funded by Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Programme financed by the European Commission, Contract No. IEE/08/776/SI2.529222, which defined four Seasonal performance factors (SPFs) 1-4 according to the boundaries of the system they are concerned with, which are explained by the above image and commentary below:
"SPFH1 This system contains only the heat pump unit. SPFH1 evaluates the performance of the refrigeration cycle. The system boundaries are similar to the COP defined in EN 14511, except that the standard takes, in addition, a small part of the pump consumption to overcome head losses in the liquid heat exchangers, and most part of the fan electricity consumption."
"SPFH2 This system contains the heat pump unit and the equipment to make the source energy available for the heat pump. SPFH2 evaluates the performance of the heat pump including heat source. This figure corresponds roughly to the SCOPNET, as defined in prEN 14825, excluding most of the heat source consumption."
"SPFH3 This system contains the heat pump unit, the equipment to make the source energy available and the back-up heater. SPFH3 represents the heat pump system and thereby it can be used for comparison to conventional heating systems (e.g. oil, gas, etc.). This system boundary is similar to the SPF in VDI 4650-1, EN 15316-4-2 and the SCOPON in prEN 14825, excluding most of the heat source consumption for most cases. For monovalent4 heat pump systems SPFH3 and SPFH2 are identical."
"SPFH4 This system contains the heat pump unit, the equipment to make the source energy available, the back-up heater and all auxiliary drives, including the auxiliary consumption of the heat sink system. SPFH4 represents the heat pump heating system including all auxiliary drives which are installed in the heating system."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Absorption heat pump.
- Air source heat pumps.
- Coefficient of performance.
- Combined heat and power CHP.
- Domestic heat pumps and the electricity supply system.
- Earth-to-air heat exchangers.
- Exhaust air heat pump.
- Ground source heat pumps.
- Heat exchanger.
- Heat pump.
- Heat recovery.
- Residential heat pump installations: the role of vocational education and training.
- Solar thermal heating.
- Types of domestic boiler.
- Water source heat pumps.
Featured articles and news
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?



















