Why Weather Compensation Control in Heat Pumps Must Be Dynamic
When installing heat pumps, installers are expected to commission them with efficient weather compensation settings. However, achieving an ideal weather compensation curve is virtually impossible. Here’s why.
Take my own home as an example. My heat pump, now 12 years old, features the original prototype of COP Angel. The house, built in 1842, has solid brick walls, and the radiators are designed to heat the home at the design temperature using a 55°C flow.
Right now, it’s 8:40 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025. The outside temperature is 5°C, and my current flow temperature is just 26°C; an impressive result, even for COP Angel. In January, I would expect this to be 5 to 10°C higher, and with a conventional weather compensation system (with thermostat and not open loop - that’s another story!), it could be another 10 to 15°C higher.
The Impact of Seasonal and Environmental Changes
So why is my flow temperature so low tonight? The answer lies in the dynamic factors affecting my home’s heat demand. By mid-March, we experience, on average, 3¾ more hours of daylight compared to January. Today was particularly sunny, meaning my solid brick walls absorbed and retained heat throughout the day. This residual warmth has carried into the evening, reducing the required flow temperature from the heat pump to just 26°C which is maintaining a comfortable 21°C inside the home.
But sunlight is just one variable. Other factors also impact the required flow temperature:
Cooking and appliance use - Ovens, stovetops, and other appliances generate residual heat.
Social activities - More people in the home means additional body heat.
Alternative heat sources - A wood burner or another heat source can supplement heating needs.
Wind - The windier the conditions, the more heat loss.
Why Static Weather Compensation Falls Short
A conventional weather compensation system operates on fixed parameters, assuming that a set flow temperature will always be required for a given outdoor temperature. However, this approach fails to account for real-world conditions. Static settings often result in heating systems producing water at 15 to 25°C above what is actually needed, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and reduced efficiency.
A truly smart controller - like COP Angel - must dynamically adjust to all forms of heat gains in real time, ensuring optimal efficiency and comfort. Without this adaptability, traditional weather compensation systems risk overproducing heat, wasting energy, and increasing costs.
Smarter, Room-by-Room Control with COP Angel
And the exciting news doesn’t end there. COP Angel is a patented technology that dynamically regulates the temperature in every room of your home, ensuring each space receives the precise amount of heat needed. By continuously adapting to changes in occupancy, solar gain, and other environmental factors, COP Angel optimizes comfort and efficiency—far beyond what traditional systems can achieve.
Welcome to COP Angel Blog
It all begins with an idea.
Welcome to the COP Angel blog – your hub for innovation, efficiency, and the future of heat pump technology. As the world shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, heat pumps are emerging as a key player in the transition. But are they being used to their full potential? At COP Angel, we believe the answer is no—and we’re here to change that. Our groundbreaking control method enhances heat pump efficiency by up to 40%, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining comfort. Through our blog, we’ll share industry insights, technology breakthroughs, case studies, and expert discussions to help you stay ahead in the world of renewable heating. Join us as we redefine efficiency and push the boundaries of what heat pumps can achieve.