During the heating cycle, the outdoor coil acts as which component?

During the heating cycle, the outdoor coil acts as which component?

• A. Condenser
• B. Metering device
• C. Evaporator
• D. Compressor

Answer: (C)

In heating mode, a heat pump reverses its refrigerant flow so the outdoor coil becomes the evaporator. The system sends a low-pressure, cold refrigerant mixture to the outdoor coil, where it absorbs heat from the outside air and changes into vapor. This absorbed heat is then carried back to the indoor coil, which acts as the condenser to release heat inside the home. The key idea is that, to provide warmth, the outdoor coil must be absorbing heat rather than rejecting it, which is the role of an evaporator.

In heating mode, a heat pump reverses its refrigerant flow so the outdoor coil becomes the evaporator. The system sends a low-pressure, cold refrigerant mixture to the outdoor coil, where it absorbs heat from the outside air and changes into vapor. This absorbed heat is then carried back to the indoor coil, which acts as the condenser to release heat inside the home. The key idea is that, to provide warmth, the outdoor coil must be absorbing heat rather than rejecting it, which is the role of an evaporator.