In a heat pump, which component absorbs heat from the outside air during heating mode?

In a heat pump, which component absorbs heat from the outside air during heating mode?

• A. Indoor thermostat
• B. Outdoor condenser
• C. Outdoor evaporator
• D. Indoor evaporator

Answer: (C)

In heating mode, a heat pump uses the outdoor coil as the evaporator. The refrigerant entering the outdoor coil is at low pressure and temperature, so it absorbs heat from the outside air as it boils into a gas. That absorbed energy is then carried inside by the compressor to the indoor coil, where the refrigerant condenses and releases heat into the home. So the component that takes in heat from the outside air is the outdoor evaporator.

In heating mode, a heat pump uses the outdoor coil as the evaporator. The refrigerant entering the outdoor coil is at low pressure and temperature, so it absorbs heat from the outside air as it boils into a gas. That absorbed energy is then carried inside by the compressor to the indoor coil, where the refrigerant condenses and releases heat into the home. So the component that takes in heat from the outside air is the outdoor evaporator.