What metric is commonly used to measure the efficiency of refrigeration systems?

The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is a key metric used to evaluate the efficiency of refrigeration systems. It is defined as the ratio of useful refrigeration produced to the amount of work or energy consumed by the system. Because it directly relates the cooling output to the energy input, a higher COP indicates a more efficient refrigeration system. This measurement is particularly valuable for understanding how effectively a system utilizes energy to achieve its cooling objectives.

In contrast, while other metrics like the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) do assess efficiency, they are more commonly associated with air conditioning systems rather than specifically with refrigeration systems. EER calculates the efficiency of cooling at a specific operating condition, whereas SEER averages efficiency over an entire cooling season, both of which may not provide the comprehensive view of efficiency that COP offers, especially during varying operational conditions typical of refrigeration applications.

Thermal Efficiency Ratio (TER) is less commonly used in the context of refrigeration. It generally pertains to the efficiency of heat engines and is not a standard metric for refrigeration systems. Thus, COP is the most pertinent measure when considering the efficiency of refrigeration systems specifically.