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Combined heat and power economic dispatch (CHPED) can enhance energy efficiency compared with conventional economic dispatch (ED). From the optimization standpoint, the CHPED problem usually involves the nonlinear products of heat and power generation variables, nonconvex objective functions, and nonconvex feasible operating range. Thus, its solution method should be able to cope with the problematic nonconvex problem since finding a poor solution for the CHPED implies reducing the maximum achievable efficiency. This paper presents an effective method utilizing several mathematical transformations to cope with the nonlinear, nonconvex terms. The method transforms the nonconvex regions and nonlinear functions into convex polyhedrons and segments. Then, the method formulates the polyhedrons and segments with integer variables, logical constraints, and combinatorial restrictions. Thus, we derive a mixed integer model, which optimization software can better solve. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the method presented and its advantages compared with existing CHPED solution techniques in the literature. [Display omitted] • Transforming nonconvex feasible operating ranges in CHP units into some polyhedrons. • Converting nonconvex cost functions into linear segments. • Presenting a robust solution method for the optimal operation of a CHP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]