Which HVAC component reduces a vapor to a liquid by extracting heat?

Which HVAC component reduces a vapor to a liquid by extracting heat?

• A. Condenser
• B. Compressor
• C. Metering devices
• D. Diffusers

Answer: (A)

Condenser. In a vapor-compression HVAC cycle, the refrigerant arrives at the condenser as a hot, high‑pressure vapor after leaving the compressor. The condenser coil or outdoor unit provides a path for this heat to leave to the surrounding air or water. As the refrigerant cools, it releases energy and changes phase from vapor to liquid, while staying at high pressure until it moves on to the metering device. This heat rejection is what makes the vapor become a liquid. The other devices don’t perform this cooling and condensation step: a compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant but doesn’t condense it; a metering device reduces pressure to create the cooling effect and allow evaporation later; diffusers are for air distribution, not the refrigeration cycle.

Condenser. In a vapor-compression HVAC cycle, the refrigerant arrives at the condenser as a hot, high‑pressure vapor after leaving the compressor. The condenser coil or outdoor unit provides a path for this heat to leave to the surrounding air or water. As the refrigerant cools, it releases energy and changes phase from vapor to liquid, while staying at high pressure until it moves on to the metering device. This heat rejection is what makes the vapor become a liquid.

The other devices don’t perform this cooling and condensation step: a compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant but doesn’t condense it; a metering device reduces pressure to create the cooling effect and allow evaporation later; diffusers are for air distribution, not the refrigeration cycle.