In which part of the cycle does the refrigerant absorb heat?

The refrigerant absorbs heat in the evaporator coil. This is a critical part of the refrigeration cycle where the refrigerant enters as a low-pressure liquid and, as it flows through the evaporator coil, it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment. This process causes the refrigerant to evaporate into a low-pressure gas, effectively removing heat from the space being cooled. The heat absorption is essential for cooling indoor spaces by transferring the heat away from that environment and providing a colder atmosphere.

Understanding this process is pivotal because it highlights the role of the evaporator as the component responsible for heat absorption, as opposed to the other components. For instance, the compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas and increasing its pressure; the condenser coil releases heat to the outdoors by condensing the gas back into a liquid; and the expansion valve regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coil, but does not absorb heat itself.