ESCO Air Conditioning Practice Exam 2026 - Free AC Certification Practice Questions and Study Guide

Superheat refers to the heat added to refrigerant vapor after it has fully evaporated and transitioned from a liquid state to a vapor state. This process increases the temperature of the refrigerant vapor above its boiling point at a given pressure.

In refrigeration systems, superheat is important because it ensures that the refrigerant entering the compressor is entirely vaporized, which prevents liquid refrigerant from damaging the compressor mechanisms. By monitoring superheat, technicians can assess the performance and efficiency of the system. It also helps in avoiding issues such as compressor flooding and system inefficiency.

The other options touch on different aspects of refrigeration but do not accurately define superheat in this context. The condensation process relates to how refrigerant changes from gas to liquid, while heat removal refers to the cooling effect before compression. The last alternative mentions heat causing a temperature change, which is too broad and does not specifically align with the definition of superheat.