The indoor coil of a heat pump acts as a condenser during which cycle?

The indoor coil of a heat pump acts as a condenser during which cycle?

• A. Heating cycle
• B. Cooling cycle
• C. Startup cycle
• D. Defrost cycle

Answer: (A)

In heating mode, the heat pump delivers heat into the indoors by using the indoor coil as the condenser. The refrigerant leaves the compressor hot and at high pressure and then releases that heat as it condenses inside the indoor coil, warming the room air that passes over the coil. Meanwhile, the outdoor coil acts as the evaporator, absorbing heat from the outside air as the refrigerant cools and turns back into a low-pressure vapor. The reversing valve switches these roles between heating and cooling, so the indoor coil is the condenser only during the heating cycle.

In heating mode, the heat pump delivers heat into the indoors by using the indoor coil as the condenser. The refrigerant leaves the compressor hot and at high pressure and then releases that heat as it condenses inside the indoor coil, warming the room air that passes over the coil. Meanwhile, the outdoor coil acts as the evaporator, absorbing heat from the outside air as the refrigerant cools and turns back into a low-pressure vapor. The reversing valve switches these roles between heating and cooling, so the indoor coil is the condenser only during the heating cycle.