Which measurement assesses the efficiency of heating systems?

The measurement that assesses the efficiency of heating systems is thermal efficiency. This metric specifically evaluates how effectively a heating system converts the energy input into useful heat output. A heating system with high thermal efficiency will produce a greater amount of heat while consuming less fuel or energy, thereby minimizing waste and operational costs.

Thermal efficiency is often expressed as a percentage, representing the ratio of useful heating generated to the energy consumed. Systems with lower thermal efficiency will lose more heat to the environment or convert less energy into usable heat, which is a critical factor in optimizing operational efficiency in heating applications.

In contrast, while the other options like the energy efficiency ratio and coefficient of performance are relevant for assessing overall energy use in various systems, they are more commonly associated with cooling systems or combined heating and cooling applications rather than strictly identifying the efficiency of heating systems alone. Heating capacity, on the other hand, pertains to the maximum output of heat a system can provide and does not directly measure efficiency in converting energy into heat.