Cool Your Future: Ace the 2026 ETI Air Conditioning Repair Certification Test!

The compressor is the component responsible for compressing the refrigerant in an air conditioning system. Its primary function is to increase the pressure of the refrigerant gas, which enables it to flow through the rest of the refrigeration cycle. When the refrigerant enters the compressor, it is in a low-pressure gaseous state. The compressor then compresses this gas, raising its pressure and temperature, which is essential for efficient heat exchange later in the cycle.

Once the refrigerant is compressed, it moves to the condenser, where it releases heat and changes from a gas to a liquid. This process is critical for the continuous operation of the cooling cycle, as it allows the refrigerant to effectively absorb heat from the indoor environment when it returns to the evaporator. Each component in the system plays a specific role, but it is the compressor that initiates the cycle by facilitating the necessary increase in pressure for the refrigerant to perform its function effectively.