What is the primary purpose of a refrigerant in an air conditioning system?

The primary purpose of a refrigerant in an air conditioning system is to absorb and release heat, allowing for the cooling of the indoor environment. Refrigerants undergo phase changes during the thermodynamic cycle of the air conditioning system, transitioning from liquid to gas and back. When the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, it evaporates and transforms into a gas. This process cools the air as it passes over the evaporator coil. The refrigerant gas is then compressed and transferred to the outdoor unit, where it releases the absorbed heat to the outside environment, condensing back into a liquid. This cycle of heat absorption and release is crucial for maintaining a cool indoor atmosphere, highlighting the essential role of the refrigerant in the overall function of the air conditioning system.

In contrast, purifying indoor air, assisting in the heating process, and circulating air are secondary functions that may involve other components in the system, but they do not represent the primary role of the refrigerant itself.