What are the four processes that comprise the refrigeration cycle?

The refrigeration cycle is a fundamental concept in HVAC systems that describes how heat is removed from a designated area to make it cooler. The correct answer includes four key processes: expansion, evaporation, compression, and condensation.

Compression is the first step, where the refrigerant gas is compressed in the compressor, raising its pressure and temperature. This hot, high-pressure gas then moves to the condenser.

Next is condensation, where the refrigerant releases heat to the environment as it cools down and changes from a gas to a liquid. This change is crucial because it prepares the refrigerant for the next steps in the cycle.

The liquid refrigerant then undergoes expansion, which reduces its pressure and temperature. This drastic drop in pressure causes some of the refrigerant to evaporate, leading to the next step.

Finally, in the evaporation phase, the low-pressure liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding area as it evaporates, cooling that space down.

Understanding this cycle is essential for effectively managing and troubleshooting HVAC systems, as it illustrates how the system operates to maintain desired temperatures. The other choices include processes that either do not accurately represent the refrigeration cycle or mix in unrelated concepts.