ASE Air Conditioner Certification Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The component of the A/C system that cools the refrigerant by transferring heat to the outside air is the condenser. This part of the system is crucial because when refrigerant leaves the compressor, it is in a high-pressure, high-temperature gas form. The condenser's role is to cool this gas by allowing it to release its heat to the outside air, which transforms the refrigerant into a liquid state.

In the condenser, as the hot refrigerant gas flows through the coils, it comes into contact with cooler outside air, often aided by a fan that enhances the airflow across these coils. The heat exchange process causes the refrigerant to release its heat and condense into a cooler liquid. This is a vital step in the refrigeration cycle, enabling the system to continue functioning properly by preparing the refrigerant for its next phase in the cycle, which occurs at the expansion valve.

The compressor, on the other hand, is responsible for circulating the refrigerant and compressing it to a high pressure, while the evaporator is where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the interior of the space being cooled, thus cooling the air inside. The expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator but does not play a role in the heat exchange