ESCO Air Conditioning Practice Exam 2025 - Free AC Certification Practice Questions and Study Guide

The role of the compressor in an air conditioning system is to compress refrigerant gas and increase its pressure. This process is crucial because, as the refrigerant is compressed, its temperature also rises significantly. The high-pressure, high-temperature gas is then moved to the condenser, where it releases heat to the outside environment and changes into a liquid state.

This compression process is essential for the refrigeration cycle to work effectively. Once the refrigerant is transformed into a high-pressure gas, it can carry heat from the interior space to the exterior, thus facilitating the cooling effect that the air conditioning system provides. The compressor acts as a pump, circulating the refrigerant through the various components of the system, ensuring that it absorbs heat from the indoor air at the evaporator and expels it outside.

Other functions like absorbing heat, removing moisture, or regulating refrigerant flow are completed by different components of the air conditioning system, but the specific role of compressing the refrigerant gas is what defines the function of the compressor. Understanding the critical role of the compressor helps in diagnosing issues within air conditioning systems and is fundamental for HVAC professionals.