NATE Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Practice Exam

Which component pumps refrigerant through the system and raises the vapor temperature?

1. Accumulator

2. Compressor

3. Condenser

4. Evaporator

The correct answer is: Compressor

The compressor is the component responsible for pumping refrigerant through the air conditioning or heat pump system and raising the vapor temperature. It does this by taking in low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant vapor and compressing it, which increases its temperature and pressure. This high-temperature, high-pressure vapor is then sent to the condenser, where heat is released, and the refrigerant condenses into a liquid. Understanding the role of the compressor is crucial in the refrigeration cycle, as it serves as the engine of the system, ensuring that refrigerant circulates effectively and that the cycle continues operating efficiently. Other components, such as the accumulator and evaporator, play essential roles in refrigerant management and heat exchange but do not function to pump refrigerant or raise its temperature in the way that the compressor does.