How is the efficiency of a refrigeration cycle typically measured?

The efficiency of a refrigeration cycle is typically measured using the coefficient of performance (COP). The COP is a ratio that compares the amount of heat removed from the refrigerated space to the amount of work input required to remove that heat. Essentially, it indicates how effectively a refrigeration system uses energy to move heat from one area to another. A higher COP value signifies a more efficient refrigeration cycle, meaning that the system can remove more heat for each unit of energy consumed.

In contrast, using volts, watt-hours, or horsepower does not provide a direct measure of efficiency in the context of refrigeration systems. Volts are a measure of electric potential, watt-hours quantify energy consumption over time, and horsepower is a unit of power that may relate to the operational capacity of a motor, but none of these metrics specifically illustrate how effectively a refrigeration unit performs in terms of heat removal relative to energy input. Therefore, COP is the most appropriate and useful metric for assessing the efficiency of refrigeration cycles.